Luke is really taking in story-time to the fullest right now. Most evenings, we’ll come into the bedroom with a bang. Having conquered dinnertime with it’s endless multitasking–pesto pasta, peel the oranges, fix Kate some cheesy toast, dishes clean, dishes dirty, fill the water, put out the dog, no show, yes show, no chocolate, yes chocolate, etc–and dinner is won. Bravely, we march, or rather wrangle, our way to the bathtub.
Luke is gloriously proud that he can now undress himself without me (as am I!) and put his toys in the bath, plug it up and place the soap carefully on the edge of the tub. Bath time roars on with laughter, cries, scrubbing, rinsing, nearly a thousand questions and then drying, toothbrushing and running the house naked. We take it step by step, then into to the bedroom and the pajama, diaper, lotion, vapor balm wrangling continues until that solemn, perfect moment of flashlights, a stack of books and a dark room full of quiet, under the cover coziness.
With Luke’s imagination growing in such great leaps, every book is a wonderland. His absolute favorite practice, presently, is to dream up a new story and “read” it to me, allowing me to turn the page when it’s my turn. I’m sure he’s channeling his inner daycare teacher (thank you Miss Annie for being a fabulous role model). Stories typically include, but are not limited to, the following: Kobe, bears, basketballs, motorcycles, a dramatic climax of someone getting lost or going down a hill, mommies, daddies and sisters, and every sweet treat he can seem to drum up on the spot.
And then, of course, we have a few favorites .. Luke waits in anticipation for the climax of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom nightly (the boom!) and insists we sing the ABC’s at conclusion. He loves Goodnight Goodnight, Construction Site for the rough and tumble terms, and all the buffeting, huffing machines. Love You Forever is currently a fave, but oddly enough because he is enamored when it unsurprisingly brings me to tears; I think he’s mystified how it can happen every. time. Come to think of it, so am I! He also loves the page where the dad waits at the top of the stairs in the shadow because he’s fascinated with shadows.
Star Wars ABC is a interesting one. He opens it to a certain page (the Kaminoan–I looked it up, have no recollection of this character) and says it’s scary. Yet still asks for it! I am so aware of things that frighten, I should’ve taken it out a month ago now, but only finally remembered the other night. Anyhow. We have quite the collection of Star Wars kids books; to be expected when you name your child Luke, I suppose! Brown Bear, Brown Bear and The Very Hungry Caterpillar remain in heavy rotation, and Can I Play Too? has become more desired as of late (the Elephant and Piggie books are darling). Thought I’d get our favorites and a quick wishlist in one place.
A few we love ..
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by B. Martin, Jr. and J. Archambault
Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems
Good Night Ocean by Mark Jasper
Sleep Like A Tiger by Mary Logue
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
When the World is Ready for Bed by Gillian Shields
The Sunflower Parable by Liz C. Higgs
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And a few in my Amazon cart ..
The Lion and the Mouse by Aesop
Lullaby Moon by Rosie Reeve
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Martin
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