BFG has made his way into our home and legos

A recommendation: The BFG 

The BFG (Big friendly Giant) written by Roald Dahl who was also the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and several others. His writing is unique and this book (BFG) though full of ideas that are repulsive and strange.. for example giants eating people, the author comes at it in such a way that it is funny and the story was light hearted.

Here is a link to hear Roald Dahl himself read and excerpt from the book: Roald Dahl-characters

It is a great book for both boys and girls. :) All my kids loved it. (ages: 11, 8 and 6) Th BFG himself has quite the vocabulary and the use of words in this book is hysterical and yet at times difficult to pronounce. :)

We were introduced to it by some sweet friends and the result was some pretty fun Lego structures of the BFG himself.

We all have our soap boxes I am sure, but mine is: Pick up a book, a good book, a book that has lasted the test of time and introduce it to your kids. You will never look back. :)

from my west corner,
Becky

My new commitment to the classics. and ( Do I have a Jo? )

A month or two ago my oldest daughter and I stayed up late together, snuggled in my bed and watched Little Women.  My daughter watched it for the first time and I watched it with different eyes, paying closer attention to Marmee and how she handled her girls. We finished the movie completely delighted with our hour and half experience with the Marsh's.  It has been one of my favourites throughout the years and it was such a treat to get to watch it with my daughter!

Since that night I decided I was going to make the book Little Women a part of their required reading at some point in their schooling. Then I realised I had never read it and I feel that if I want my kids to read the classics I better have read them or be reading them myself.  So this year I have committed to immersing myself with more classic books of literature. 

Since that movie night I have read Little Women and I was profoundly struck by the value of family and the wisdom for life within the pages of the book. I feel like I missed out not reading it sooner.

 I look forward to when my girls read this book in the future for it is filled with wisdom for  youth as it is for me a women in the crux of parenting and will be a fun book to discuss with them. 

Norman Rockwell's painting of Jo.

After Autumn watched the movie she was taken by Jo's gift of writing and she herself has always enjoyed writing and coming up with stories. So one night about a week ago I found her up in her room frantically writing. The title of her story was Riches and Lace.  Even after she went to bed she wrote with her little flashlight until her 10:00 pm lights out. 

I love this picture of her, she was so deep in thought with her bins all piled high to form a desk and create a space for herself.



Now that I am done with Little Women I am looking forward to eventually reading Little Men and Jo's Boys as I was able to download them onto my kindle for free. When you live overseas a Kindle is such a gift!!! 

In my west corner learning from ages gone by,

Becky

After writing this post I came across this wonderful post on Little Women by Simple Homeschool:

Enjoy this link: Simple Homeschool: Little women

“If you feel your value lies in being merely decorative, I fear that someday you might find yourself believing that’s all that you really are. Time erodes all such beauty, but what it cannot diminish is the wonderful workings of your mind: Your humor, your kindness, and your moral courage. These are the things I cherish so in you. I so wish I could give my girls a more just world. But I know you’ll make it a better place." -- Marmee, Little Women” 
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Day 18 of helpful words

For me today..and maybe for some of you too.

Grace of Grace Etsy shop.
I enjoy her prints!

I am reading The Ministry of Motherhood given to me by my sis-n-law. Thank you Chrissy

There are just enough nuggets in this book that I wanted to share it with all of you. 

This book has been a great to read along side my '30 days of Helpful words'. 

Practically: When I pray with my kids at night I have really started praying words of life and faith.

Building them up as I pray and seeing them in faith. I have started to look forward to this time with each of them, as before it was just a standard almost routine goodnight prayer. 

For example: Thank you God for Lydia and all the talents and gifts you have given her, please use her love to dance to honor you. Thank you for putting her and her laughter in our family use her to bring joy to others as she grows. Help her not to keep the gifts and talents you have given her to herself.  etc.

As I pray in faith for my kids it really has helped me during the day to see them in faith and to speak more encouraging and helpful words. 

Humbly yours,

 in my west corner, desiring to give life with my words,

Becky