Mark Twain Reader

John presented Jeremiah with a very special book on Christmas Day. It is a compilation of Mark Twain stories, including Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and others.

Jeremiah loves to read, especially books with adventure, mystery, fantasy and history. And he was very happy and honored to be given this special book that he can keep throughout his growing years. His Daddy even signed the inside with a few loving words, too.

Something I found ironic, though. And a little funny, is how, in the previous post, with the spoofy homeschooling video, there was mention of how their homeschooled kid reads Tom Sawyer....so it looks like we are fitting the homeschool description without even trying! Scary! hehehe

Funny Homeschool Family Video

Literary Lethargy

Some days we all enjoy snuggling on the sofa to read. Other days we like to crawl into bed together to cuddle and enjoy some literary sustenance.

John snuck in and took this photo of, me, Jen and Jem.....

Comic Book Capers

Jeremiah has been reading comic books and creating his own comic strips since he was 6 years old. Back then he created his own exciting series called "Lightning Man & Power Man", of which he still creates a few strips when the whim hits him.

For the past several months, though, both boys of mine have been seriously into comic books, especially Star Wars and Sonic. We visit the library every week and they always come home with another stack to read. Often Jeremiah reads a comic book in minutes. He goes through it from cover to cover and then will re-read it again later. It motivates him and gives him ideas for his own comic strips. He also reads the comics in the newspaper each week and dives right into the paper to get his 'funnies'.

I love that they are into comic books, because I used to be an avid comic book reader, too. I especially liked Mad comics and many of the Hanna Barbera mags, and of course, the Sunday 'funnies'. When I wasn't reading books I was reading comics and it seems that my sons are following in my literary footsteps.



Making sound effects while reading the Star Wars comic book

Jem decided to make a Star Wars comic window on his Etch a Sketch.

If you've ever tried to draw with an Etch a Sketch, you know that it's not an easy feat. Jem's comic window looks pretty great, though. (Note: The reason the camera is pointed up, is that Jem was in his bunkbed in the top bunk. Kind of a unique perspective, I think.)

Night Owl Reader

I woke up the other night around 4am and noticed that Jenna was not asleep beside me, so I went looking.....and found her in the living room....reading a book. This is something she does often as she just adores books. Here she is reading a Magic School Bus book. She is really into the dinosaurs right now.

Jeremiah the Literary Extraordinaire

As soon as we placed the Usborne books in the van, Jeremiah started reading.....and reading.....and reading....all the way home....and them he read some more. Until he had read ALL three of the new books we had just bought! He told me that he just loved how the Usborne books were written and he felt they were so exciting and interesting that he couldn't put the books down. He even admitted that he was wishing that the books were longer! Whahoo! My old Jeremiah is coming back! I am now looking forward to seeing if his love of writing will soon return. Oh! Whatever he does, I am just so gosh, darn, proud of him! Mama loves you Jeremiah!!!!!!!

Friends in All Kinds of Places

After we left Explora, we met with an Usborne Rep who sold us some wonderful new Young Readers for the kids: Robinson Crusoe, King Arthur, Treasure Island and Stories of Ponies, as well as a Horse Encyclopedia for me. We ended up chatting with Becky for almost 30 mins and really enjoyed meeting her.

Then we left and drove into Taylor Ranch to stop by my old friend Julie's house. Twelve years ago, I served as her Nanny for her 3 sons while she did trips for United Airlines and her husband, Steve, contracted for Intel. Her sons, Ben, Sam and Jesse are very special to me, as I cared for them full-time for almost 3 years.
It was great to see her again and visit for a little bit. And Ben's early arrival home from high school was also a treat, too.

Julie gave us some books and learning materials, as well as some boys' clothing and a cool Micro-Machines set that her boys had outgrown. Jackson & Jeremiah couldn't wait to get home to put it together and play.

After we left Julie's, we swung by Wendy's to grab a quick bite to eat on the way home. And we were quite happily surprised to find our dear friend Laura and her adorable son, Quinn having a snack inside while waiting for their car to get worked on at Jiffy Lube next door!
We really enjoyed chatting with her and sharing a meal together before heading home again.

Jackson & Jeremiah couldn't get over how 'the forces that be' caused all of us to end up in the same unlikely place at the same time on the same day. It really was a special treat.

Jem and Oreo

I am so happy to see that the love of reading has resurfaced again in my son, Jeremiah's life. He was an avid reader before the March 14, 2005 accident, but he barely read at all afterwards. It has not been until recently that I find him curled up reading all sorts of books and articles. And often, Oreo is perched nearby. There is something so natural about cats and literature.

Jem Reading

While I was making breakfast this morning, Jeremiah was sitting below the living room window, reading. I loved how the light was streaming in and how peaceful Jem seemed while he read his book.

3 Monkeys Reading

One of Jenna's favorite books is "Five Little Monkeys" and she loves it when her brothers read it to her. I love seeing all 3 of my little monkeys curled up together reading.