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This challenge officially ended today and I on the one hand I failed miserably. I only read 3 out of the six books I had hoped to read. On the other hand, I read all three of these classics out loud with Amber (10) and sharing them with her was one of my goals for doing the challenge in the first place. The three books we read were: From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald We also watched the Harriet the Spy movie from '96 which was really a fun movie, and fairly faithful to the story. Overall this was a really fun challenge, and hopefully I'll read more of the books I remember from my childhood with Amber. Actually, The Gammage Cup, which we're reading right now was one of my favorites when I was in 5th or 6th grade....

Today's National Napping Day! Apparently the unofficial holiday started in 1999 and serves as a reminder to us all that sleep is an essential and healthy part of our daily routine. I love a nap. There are few things better than taking time out in the middle of the day to lie down and go to sleep. Forget about the chores, ignore the kid, keep the dog out of the bedroom. It's refreshing, puts me in a good mood. My family knows that every Sunday afternoon, I get to disappear into the bedroom for an hour or so for a nap, no disturbances. I wish I could take a nap this afternoon, but no, I have to be at work. And I have to walk home for lunch and then walk back since my husband accidentally took my car key with him, so no time to sneak one in. So, what about you? Are you a napper?...

I'm a big fan of reading aloud. David or I have read aloud to Amber  almost every day since she was born- that's ten years of books and stories, poems and even a play or two, classics, graphic novels, you name it. Today is World Read Aloud Day, sponsored by LitWorld, "to celebrate and encourage the invaluable practice of reading aloud and to bring attention to the importance of literacy across all countries and for all of humanity. Reading aloud brings us together—brings meaning, enhanced understanding, and shared experience to our words and our stories." I wish I had known about it earlier, but make the time to read aloud to someone today, child or adult. And if it's not today, do it tomorrow, or the next day. Reading and sharing the love of books and words is just so important. We all love a story. As for me, I'll be reading aloud from Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. We're on Chapter 2....

Every year, Amber makes her own Valentines to hand out at school. These were just a couple of them. The top one was for one of the boys and the bottom was for one of the girls. We taped a piece of candy onto the back, too....

101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle by Dawn Del Russo, illustrated by Barbara Ann Scarrillo I had to sit down and read this the same day it came. It just grabbed my attention. It really is a fun, quick little book filled with 101 tips. Maybe you won't be ultra chic if you follow them, but you will feel good about yourself and have that extra sparkle. Some of the tips are fun and flirty, like #2 Flaunt Luscious Lashes. Others are more practical, like take a walk or carry an umbrella. Some take a little money, like a weekly manicure, but others are free. I think it can help even me get a step or two closer to glamorous. This is just a cute, witty book. It's like tidbits of advice from girlfriends and stylists, and it would make a perfect little gift for friends. My mom's already asked to borrow it. Tip #70 Make Life a Special Occasion Everyday should...

Earlier this week, a lot of people were posting photos of their bookshelves, so I thought I'd share mine. This one is in my living room. It's the neatest of the lot. The bottom shelf has scrapbooks and a couple photo albums. The snowmen will get put away, probably at the end of January, making room for Valentine's Day things. This is one of Amber's bookshelves. Well, the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia are technically mine, but she'll read them sometime and the rest are all hers. Usually the top would have DVD's on it, but they were put away for Christmas and are currently in a stack somewhere. Her other bookshelf is below, beside our game shelves. I've got a few other bookshelves, but they're a mess. The one on the left is by our desk and holds some of David's old textbooks, in addition to random things. The two on the right are in a storage...