knitting and reading

i am reading a lot these days.  there are books in every room in case i find myself there on a bed, or a couch, or in a chair nursing indy.  but, the big novel in my life right now is 'the thorn birds' recommended by svenna.  it is also mostly reserved for non-nursing moments as it is very heavy.  this book is big and it moves you.  it has a lot of drama going on in the cleary family who shear sheep for a living and move from new zealand to the australian outback.  i have heard there is a t.v. series based on the book and will have to check into it once i'm done reading the book.  i was excited to find the book at a used book sale for a dollar after i checked it out from the library.  this way i won't need to worry about turning it back in on time.  i don't find myself rushing to finish it and it is a good one to savor.  on the needles are also a few projects, but the last few days i've been finishing up this little toadstool rattle.   i've already cast on for another as this one is for a friend.  it's pretty cute and i like the sound of the little cat toy bell inside.

the kids are reading - even the baby.  okay, so he's in the midst of taking a little chew here, my poor little teether who's showing his first signs of discomfort and fussiness from excessive drool and what seems to be itchy gums.  but, every morning (and throughout the day) i keep him very happily entertained with some baby books.  i used to teach first grade and my favorite part of the day was always story time.  i love reading aloud to children and yes, babies.

this particular one called "woof-woof" by sami, was ezra's and was one of his favorites.  i can remember how he used to get excited, jiggle his body and coo just as indy does too.

my friend laura picked out this classic for indy and gave it to him recently as a gift.  indy loves it and i'm just so happy to see that he loves books as much as the rest of the family.

ezra is on a "henry and mudge" streak right now.  he loves these books.  we have every title checked out from our local library and i have renewed them twice already.  i think he identifies with henry and his love for his dog.  ezra has two dogs.  he always tells people this.  and he was the proud boy owner of our two dogs before we all moved to st. maarten.  sunny and lola, the golden and weimaraner, that were michael's and my first children, have been living ever since with michael's animal loving parents.  we would like to take them back when we are able but are not quite sure they'll let us have them.  i'm sure ezra will have to convince them.  but for now he gets "henry and mudge" books read to him everyday and still has 'puppy' who you can see in the picture.

yesterday we spent hours outdoors (enough for sunburns on ezra and i) with our friends laura and baby earl.  we took the boys to a local walking path and playground where we pushed the strollers and ezra rode his bike.  he figured out how to hold on to the stroller and be pulled alongside and did that the whole way back.  at the playground, ezra fed some squirrels (big mistake) before heading off to play a game of "catch the squirrels" with a whole gang of little boys and girls hanging out at the playground.  ezra was the ring leader of the group (i think a first time occurrence in his life) and it was fun to watch.  ezra has been the youngest child in our family before indy came along, and has mostly been in groups of kids that are older not younger.  so yesterday ezra called, "let's go this way!" and all the children ran behind him and it went on and on like that for quite some time.  

for more knitting and reading....

p.s. all these pictures were taken with my iPhone on the free app instagram, my latest obsession.  it's the best way for me to take pictures these days where it seems i've always got at least one hand in use.  but, it's also just fun to connect instantly with friends and see what they're up to.  so, family and friends with iPhones, get it!  find me.  i'm nunubot.