The King's Speech

Chris and I went to see The King's Speech on Friday evening.  The story of King George was inspiring.  The set was visually striking--just look at the gorgeous walls in the above photos!  The actors did a remarkable job.  It was an amazing film and I would recommend that everyone watch it.  Well, not everyone, it is rated R for some foul language (dare I say appropriate foul language?).  We are happy that it won Best Picture last night.  The film deserves the heaping accolades!

Fave Books: Jane Ray

One of my favorite illustrators is Jane Ray.   Her pictures have a folk-arty quality about them and we seem never to tire of her intricate details.  We have checked out a number of her titles from the library, our favorites being Apple Pip Princess, Hansel and Gretel, or Moonbird.  A word of warning, some of her books have an eco-friendly message and others have a ecumenical streak.  Let the Lutheran reader beware!

We own two of her books, Noah's Ark and The Story of Christmas. They both are "my" books, reside on a high shelf and the kids have to ask to look at them.  The text is inspired by the King James and the illustrations demonstrate some good catechesis.  Look at that image of God the Father!

Chronicle Books - Illustrated Classics

I love pretty books.  Beautiful prose and illustrations make reading aloud much more enjoyable to me.  In fact I censor what comes home from the library.  I will say flat out "no" to things like Dora's Adventure or stupid Scholastic picture books.  I'm heartless.  I know.

  This collection of books contain some of my favorites to read to my children.  The editors pair classic texts of fairy tales or nursery rhymes with a collection of vintage illustrations and artwork.  I highly recommend them! 

Princess Stories, Aesop's Fables, Tales from the Brothers Grimm, Classic Animal Stories, The Big Book of Little, Fairy Tales from Hans Christian Andersen, Sea Stories

 

Go Pack Go

In all honesty, I barely watched the game.  I was working in the kitchen preparing dinner, then cleaning up dinner, cleaning up kids and reading picture books.  When I was finally able to watch I couldn't handle the suspense and left the room to go check blogs.  What a devoted fan.

Sunday Best

 

On Sunday afternoons, after everyone has eaten a bit and is tucked in for their Sunday afternoon nap, I will often pass by this pile of shoes.  It is a wonderful reminder of how blessed I am.

Wintery Fun

Water Trucks

I don't get it.  Water Trucks is an activity my sister created for her son James.  It has been a big hit here for the last two, snowed-in days.