World Book Day

In celebration of World Book Day today, students, faculty and staff at Our Sweet School came dressed as a favorite book character. You should have seen the whole staff in Alice in Wonderland costumes! The Head Teacher the Queen of Hearts.

My little characters have my heart and even more so that they're still recovering from being sick. They all look a bit thin and less sparkly than usual. Wan. But they had great fun choosing their costumes representing some of our favorite books.

(Peter from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) 

Our bedtime routine has hardly changed since Biggest Brother was an infant. We read a book or chapter together before prayers. We're now reading another of Judy Blume's adventures with Peter and Fudge and just finished The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Even if I edit some of the words while I'm reading (no calling each other "stupid") I'm laughing as hard as they are and tickled when they ask to hear another chapter.

(Edmund from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) 

Happy today that there was no last minute drama like last year when Big Sister declined to participate. Until after she got to school. Funny that. She didn't remember her fussing last year, but only that I'd specially made her Olivia pig ears and that she enjoyed it. They say the mind represses trauma.

(Lettice the Ballerina Bunny Rabbit) 

And there wasn't even terrible distress that Big Sister wouldn't join the boys in their attempts to have a unified family costume. Baby Sister, once told she could wear something fancy, was entirely compliant with their plan.

(Susan from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) 

This was a fantastic way to start our day, but my very favorite part of today so far was the following exchange as we walked to school:

BABY SISTER: We are learning about growing in The Nursery. Yesterday we planted seeds.

BIGGEST BROTHER: It will be nice to see what grows.

ME: Tell us what grows.

BABY SISTER: We are growing. Animals grow.

BIG SISTER: Humans grow, we're animals, too.

BIGGEST BROTHER: We're part of the mammal family.

BABY SISTER: No we're NOT!  We're part of the [our last name] family!  [Left unsaid was "Sheesh. And I thought these guys knew somethin' about the world! Do I have to tell them everything? This is unsettling."]

So much to say and lots to learn. Happy reading one and all.