Second Blooming

The Classics

Until a year ago, I had read aloud to Jude virtually every night of his life since the day he was born. I'll never forget holding him in the hospital and reading...

We looked!

Then we saw him step in on the mat!

We looked! And we saw him!

The Cat in the Hat!

Carefully holding the book up to share Dr. Seuss's pictures for his not-yet-focused eyes.

Reading aloud to him has been one of the greatest joys of my life. It perfectly combines my love of books + my love of performance + my love of the boy.

We have always had our nighttime reading ritual. Over time, he started reading on his own, aloud to me. Which I also loved. He'd read a while to me, then I'd read a while to him.

Then he stopped wanting to read aloud to me. He wanted to read to himself inside his head. No problem. We established something I called "tandem reading" during which time he would read his book and I would read my book, then we'd put our books away and I'd read something aloud to him.

But then...about a year ago...dum, dum, dum, DUM...he told me he really didn't need me to read aloud to him anymore.

This was truly heartbreaking. Earthshatteringly upsetting. But I survived. Never really got over it...sigh...but worked my way through it. He is growing up. Pushing away from Mom. It's all healthy and natural. But I still hated it.

Then, about a month ago...

We went and saw that 3D nightmare, Oz the Great and Powerful. That night, as Jude was going to sleep, he suddenly asked if we still had that old copy of The Wizard of Oz that I'd had when I was little. We did.

 

Love that old book smell.

My Mama had loved the book The Wizard of Oz because her father had been personal friends with L. Frank Baum when the author lived in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Mama's hometown. Apparently, his description of Kansas in the book is based on his experience in Aberdeen. 

I dug the book out and handed it to him, assuming he wanted to read it to himself, but instead he asked, "Could you read it to me?"

CUE: CHORUS OF ANGELS

I could! And I DID! And we enjoyed it so much that when we finished it, I pulled out another beloved edition from my childhood, The Wind in the Willows, and have been reading it to him!

 

Badger and Mole and Toad and Rat

 

Interestingly, these are books which he deems too "babyish" to read to himself, but are still very intriguing, and my reading them aloud to him seems to be the perfect solution.

I have started a stack on his bedside table of children's classics which he has never read, and we are both kind of excited about. Next up is Peter Pan, then Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

It's kind of sad that Disney has ruined these books for kids and has them believing that they are too "babyish". They aren't. In fact, the writing is very grownup, with lots of big words. It's nothing that a little kid could read. I'm assuming that they were originally written to be read aloud. Lucky me!

All of this reading of classics has me loving my funny little man all the more. He has been picking up Wind in the Willowsisms. Three times now, I have heard him using the word..."posthaste". I can't imagine what his teacher is going to think if he works this into some comment at school.

And he completely lost it when we read the following sentence...

"Nor don't the ducks neither," replied the Rat cheerfully.

"Hahahahahahahah," said Jude, barely able to catch his breath, "that's HYSTERICAL! It's a TRIPLE negative!!"

I don't know whether to be proud that my child found a triple negative so hilarious, or slightly embarrassed. It's real English Major humor.

Nevertheless, I am really enjoying being the read-alouder again. I don't know how long it's going to last, but I'm going to relish every moment!

Working Mother

My Book Fair is over! And it was quite successful. I'm really happy with the way things went. That's not to say there aren't things I'd like to improve next year, but for a first time out, I think it went really well.

The best part, aside from making a bunch of money for our library, was how excited the kids got. I mean, they were SO into it. Every day, they rushed in as soon as they got to school, and they were in there every recess and lunch. I had my regulars, mostly a group of little girls, who would come in during lunch and chat with me about books. It was really rather fun, since my OWN CHILD completely ignored me. But these other children came in with their piggy banks and tiny wallets filled with their hard-saved money, and I absolutely loved seeing them pick our a book that they were very excited about, and pay for it with their own money. So dear.

Now, however, I am so exhausted I can barely move. And you know, I am often exhausted, I think that just comes with being a busy working mother who just happens to be OLD. But this is really, bone-weary, ass-dragging, dog-tired exhausted.

All this week, I was down at that school, working the Book Fair from about 7:15 am to 4:30 pm. Essentially, I was the owner/manager of a small retail establishment. I had employees which I directed. I had customers who were always right. I worked hard to make sales, bending over backwards to make my customers happy.

And I have had a realization. I haven't had a full-time job, or really any...actual job, since...1987.

It's true. I mean, I earn money, but I don't really work. I have no schedule, no real demands aside from showing up where I'm supposed to be on time, and doing my best. 

It is HARD to have a day job!

I suddenly have such RESPECT for all of you working mothers! How the hell do you do it? Especially those of you in a position of authority, who have to make constant decisions, and everyone looks to you for answers and guidance. It's HARD.

So hats off to all of you! I'm glad my full-time job only lasted a week!

 

The Thick of It

So the Book Fair I'm in charge of is officially up and running, and seems to be doing well so far. Despite a number of potentially disasterous mistakes, all of which were completely out of my hands.

1. My beloved and usually reliable Cub Scouts dropped the ball. I had what I thought would be a brilliant idea of partnering with the Cubbies for a weekend family event - Books for Breakfast: The Cub Scouts Annual Pancake Breakfast + the Book Fair. Which is happening right now, as you read this. But somehow, the Cubs leader, who is a wonderful man and the most involved father I know, and therefore grossly over-committed, never really delegated any responsibility, and they only finally started planning a week ago. Luckily, a daring and brilliant mom jumped in with both feet, and I think has saved them from disaster. Fingers crossed.
2. I had TWO, count 'em TWO, flyers, which I had carefully and thoughtfully created, one for the Book Fair and one for the aforementioned Books for Breakfast, which were meant to go out in the school's Wednesday Envelope,  our archaic means of communication. Ihad emailed them to an always responsible mom/friend who generously steals free copies from her office for me all the time. She has kindly done this for me numerous times. She brought them to school, and left them on the table where she was supposed to have left them. Unfortunately, they didn't make it into the Wednesday Envelope. We don't know why. They were moved or mislaid or something. I have no idea how or why. I freaked out to such an extent that I thought I might have an aneurysm. I sent an hysterical email to our head room mother, and then when I called her about a minute later, she answered the phone "Breathe! Breathe! Breathe!" She managed to send out an email of the flyers to the entire student body. Which might work to our benefit...or not.
3. I had scheduled THREE, count 'em THREE, e-mail blasts through our school's website, our less archaic means of communication. One, which talked about the entire Book Fair AND the Books for Breakfast event, was meant to go out on Wednesday, and then was to be followed up by brief reminders, one on Thursday and one on Friday. Unfortunately, the Wednesday blast didn't go out. I have no idea how or why. I send another hysterical email to the mom/friend who is in charge of the school website, who looked at it on her computer and said "Yes, I see it here that you scheduled it. Hmmm. I don't know what happened." Another mom, who I don't know, but who is generally very responsible, was supposed to have sent it, but did not.

These three things are THE REASON I almost never delegate. I have found that when I just do things myself I know they get done. And if they don't get done, I know exactly where to point the finger. Very frustrating.

I spent Thursday and Friday setting up the Book Fair and hosting Student Previews, which basically means showing the books to every child at the school, and the kids are super excited. SO gratifying to see all the kids running around excitedly looking at books.

We officially opened Friday afternoon, after school, and we were PACKED. An incredible turn out. Let's hope that things continue this well all week. Hopefully, this means that the kids' enthusiasm will make up for the gaffes in the advertising.

And yes, I have chosen this ridiculously busy time in my life to do my blog-every-day-for-a-month thing. Because I am perverse. And enjoy a challenge. And am possibly a little masochistic. And because I knew that if I didn't do this, I wouldn't blog at all during the entire Book Fair.

I'm stubborn, right? Wish us luck.

RTT: Roommates, Onion and Jumpsuits

 

I love this site - Hysterical Roommate Notes.

 

Good thinking, Ryan.

I need to leave one of these for Jimmy. Grrrr.

 

 

When I was in college, I used to label all of my food. "Gretchen's Pickles", "Gretchen's Mayonnaise". I even wrote "Gretchen's Egg" on all my eggs in Sharpie. I'm sure my roommates loved it.

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This...

...is growing in my kitchen. It is an onion which, instead of rotting, has decided to sprout leaves. I realize I should probably throw the thing away, but I'm kind of fascinated with it. Do y'all think it would grow if I stuck it in a pot of dirt? I love a good science experiment.

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TIME SUCK ALERT:

Oh my God. I got totally sucked into this one - Goodreads.

You sign up and then start rating books that you've read/want to read. Which is where I got sucked in. Then, they give you recommendations based on your ratings. I must say, their recommendations are spot on. It's sort of like going to a book store and rooting through the shelves.

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When did "radicalize" become a word? They keep using this word over and over on the news in regard to the Boston Marathon bombers, like "Exactly when did these young men become radicalized?" I swear I've never heard this before. Is it a real word or did Anderson Cooper just make it up? I must say, I do love me some Anderson Cooper. I wish he was my younger brother. Okay, I just veered off topic from "radicalize", sorry.

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Because I'm a weirdo, I looked up the address they gave at the bottom of this, and it's right around the corner from the pool where Jude practices swimming. Alas, Jumpsuits Ltd. is no more, it's now a Citibank.

 

I have nothing to say about these. Please leave your own caption.

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Please, please go visit Stacy and the other Random Tuesday folks.

 

Spin Cycle: My Favorite Quotes

A few things I wish I'd said first...

 

My mantra.

 

Isn't it true?!

I have this taped to a cabinet in the kitchen. I read it every day. And try to remember it always.

Good old Abe.

 

My favorite prayer.

A great truth.

The theme of Camp Mama, and neatly sums up my experience as a parent.

I wish that everyone I know would read and understand this.

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Please go and check out the other "Quotes" spinners...

Nain at View From Down Here

SuziCate at The Water Witch's Daughter

Jan at Jan's Sushi Bar

Janice at I Got Nothing

Michele at It's a Dog's Life 

Vandy J at The Testosterone Three and Me

Kendra at Life in the slow lane

Ginny Marie at Lemon Drop Pie - NEW on FRIDAY!

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Next week on The Spin Cycle...

Apple/Tree

As in "...doesn't fall far from...".

Which tree did you fall directly beneath? Do you find words coming out of your mouth and then gasp "Holy Christ, I've become my mother!"? Do you look down and see your father's ugly, bony feet sticking out the bottom of your pants?

Or maybe you are the tree. Do you see things in your children that are JUST LIKE YOU?

Is all of this a good thing? Or a curse? Do you revel in the sameness? Or gasp in horror?

Write your spin on "Apple/Tree". Post it. Tell me. I'll link it.

Come back next Friday for my take on "Apple/Tree" and to get the next week's spin topic.

Happy spinning!

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Quidditch. For Real

An old friend of mine from high school keeps posting things on Facebook about her son's recent participation in the Quidditch World Cup VI, which just wrapped up in Kissimmee, Florida.

Yes, you read that right, Quidditch.  Like Harry Potter and flying brooms and the golden snitch and all that. I, too, found this a bit peculiar, and had to look into it.

Turns out, it is for real, people! There were 80 teams from universities around the world!

According to the website for the Quidditch World Cup, "Players will collide in full-force tackles, bludgers will leave stinging blows that knock athletes off their feet, quaffles will whistle through the goal hoops, while seekers hunt the snitch runner. Thousands of spectators will look on, watching one of the most exciting sports ever invented unfold before them."

Apparently, "Quidditch is a co-ed, full-contact sport that combines elements of rugby, dodgeball, and Olympic handball, with four balls (plus a human snitch) and seven players per team vying for control of an elliptical pitch."

Just like they play at Hogwarts. Except, of course, they don't actually...fly.

My friend's son plays for USC, and though they did well, they didn't make it to the final, which was between UCLA and my alma mater, The University of Texas, who were the big winners. Go Longhorns!

I guess.

What do y'all think about this? The super cynical side of me just rolls my eyes and gasps "Oh good Lord, really?" But the other, super-geeky side of me says "Woohoo! Quidditch! Where do I sign up?!"

Even though the website says that Fox News (who apparently covered the event - not sure what to make of that) describes it as "a cross between the Superbowl and a medieval festival", these kids seem to be taking this silliness pretty damned seriously.

 

And I guess the game's tons of fun, with lots of action, but really? They are pretending. To. Be. Riding. Brooms! They are grown-up people!

And I keep wondering what JK Rowling must think about it. Is it an exciting thrill for her? Having INVENTED a sport in which people are actually competing in a World Cup? Or does she just shake her head in disbelief and think "It's FICTION, people!"

What do y'all think? Good fun? Or "Good Lord!"?

RTT: Hashtag, Batman and Helpful Hints

There was a huge panic on Twitter last week when Margaret Thatcher died. Apparently, folks tweeting about the death of the UK's former Prime Minister were using the hashtag #nowthatchersdead. But many people read this as meaning the loss, not of...

 

Baroness Thatcher

 ...but of... 

Goddess of Pop

 

Yes that's right instead of #now thatchers dead, people read #now that chers dead!

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I want one of these desperately!...

...beautiful, right? Carved book landscapes. Imagine one of these on my mantel! Maybe when I finish my book and it's a big best seller? Hmmm...

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Captain Dumbass posted this on Facebook, and I had to share.

Click here for the Amazon page for BIC Cristal for Her, and read the reviews. Brilliant!

 

Just for her...

 

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Okay, this might be the best helpful hints site I've EVER found. I kept scrolling on and on slapping my forehead and shouting "Why didn't I think of that!" at every one. Some of my favorites...

 

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That's it. Was that random enough for you? Go check out Stacy et al!

Another Fine Mess

So here's what I've been doing lately.

I am the Book Fair Chairperson at Jude's school, and the Book Fair is happening in two weeks.

Book Fair Chairperson is not, technically, my title. I'm just the person on the Parent Board who is in charge of the Book Fair. But I prefer to call myself the Book Fair Chairperson because it's fancy. And I know that every time I sign my name with the title Book Fair Chairperson under it, my Mama up in heaven is jumping up and down cheering. Because one thing Mama always desperately wanted for me was that I become the kind of lady who was a Chairperson for charitable organizations. It was the epitome of class and good-breeding in her mind. And I think she was a little worried when I veered into the land of artsy folks that I would never achieve Chairperson. So I'm glad to make her happy. Of course, she would have preferred for me to be the President of the Junior League or something like that, but for now, Book Fair Chairperson will have to do.

Mostly, what the Book Fair Chairperson does is make lists. And create forms. And then put the lists on the forms. Most people would find it dull, but I don't. I actually like it. I will find myself obsessing over some detail like creating a flyer, and I'll get so involved that I don't realize that hours have gone by. And I'll get so excited over getting all of the many busy, busy, details accomplished that I actually get on a little high. Like I've had about 6 cups of coffee. I love it.

I have this little program on my computer called Time Stamp. It's for timing work if you work at home, and you can actually program in your hourly rate, and it will add up how much your employer owes you. I decided to try to figure out how much time I'm really spending on this Book Fair, so I've been trying to keep accurate records. So far this month, I've logged 25 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds. Which I admit, is ridiculous. If I was being paid for all this work in money (as opposed to being paid in kind thoughts and admiration), I could have made some decent cash. For instance, if I was making $35 an hour, I'd have made $883.05. Or if I'd been paid the $100 an hour, which is what I've programmed into my Time Stamp program, because I think I'm certainly worth that much, I'd  have made $2523. But in reality, I have made...$0.

Oh look! In the 15 or so minutes it's taken me to write this, I've received 3 more Book Fair e-mails. One from the people from which I'm ordering the t-shirts, one which includes a list that I need to put into a form, and one from some idiot parent who can't figure out how to use the EXTREMELY EASY volunteer sign-up website, and wants me to do it for her.

So off I go. I'd better get my little Time Stamp going. 25 hours and counting...

Spin Cycle: Sometimes

Sometimes, I'll confidently walk into a room, filled with purpose, and absolutely focused on completing some very important task, something that would, no doubt, make our life infinitely better, but then I stop...and have absolutely no idea what I was about to do.

Sometimes, I get so excited when Jude's loving a book he's reading, that I'll hover just outside his bedroom door and surreptitiously watch him curled up with his book, on the verge of tears because it makes me so happy. And if he begs for me to let him stay up for "Just one more chapter!", I always let him, no matter how late it is.

Sometimes, I look into a mirror, expecting to see myself there, but instead, I see this slightly frumpy, saggy, middle-aged woman, who looks very, very much like...my mother.

Sometimes, I get tired of being Jimmy's straight man. Just once, I want to be the funny one. But then I once again find myself drawn into setting up the joke for him - I'm always the George Burns and he's always the Gracie.

Sometimes, I just assume that everyone likes me. But then, if I think about it, I realize that this is most likely not true.

Sometimes, I get secret joy from embarrassing Jude in public. I just can't seem to stop myself from singing a Christmas carol at the top of my lungs in the grocery store in April or some such thing. I know how much he hates it, but I do it anyway. I have no excuse for this behavior.

Sometimes, I wake up in the morning absolutely inspired to complete all of the many, many tasks I need to do, but then, somehow, I end up doing absolutely nothing all day but watching British tv shows which I've DVRed and fiddling on the internet.

Sometimes, I toss and turn in bed at night, unable to sleep. And after a while, I realize that the problem is that there is a tiny grain of sand, or maybe a tiny crumb underneath me. After I managed to flick it out of the bed, I'm good to go. I'm a total Princess and the Pea.

Sometimes, I find myself deliberately trying not to love our little dog, Fancy, too much, because I'm afraid she'll die and I won't be able to handle it. Then, I find myself deliberately trying to love her even more, because I'm afraid she'll die and I won't be able to handle it.

Sometimes, when I daydream, I plan my own funeral. I know all the music that my choir would perform, and who would sing the solos. It will be extremely dramatic and powerful. And I know exactly which people should eulogize me, who I know I can trust to strike just the right chord of humor and dignity. Many, many people will attend, and everyone will cry and cry. It's going to be fabulous.

Sometimes, I look at gorgeous bathrooms in magazines, rooms with huge, luxurious tubs with jacuzzis surrounded by candles, and while part of me desperately wishes that I had such a room, another part of me is afraid of them, because I already spend way too much time soaking in our plain jane old tub, and I think that if I had some kind of amazing bathroom sanctuary, I might never come out of there.

Sometimes, late at night, I sneak into Jude's room, kneel down next to his bed, bury my face deep into his neck and inhale. I'll just kneel there, smelling him for a rather long time.

Sometimes, I know that I will continue to sneak in and smell my boy until he is a grown up man, which I realize could possibly be considered creepy. I hope that he doesn't wake up and catch me and I am forced to pay for years of therapy to help him overcome this trauma.

Sometimes, I absolutely do not want to go to my choir rehearsal. It's late and I'm tired and I have to get up early the next morning and yada, yada, yada. But then I always force myself to go, I draaaaaaag my butt down there. And I'm ALWAYS glad I went because I love it. But then the next week I have completely wiped this knowledge from my memory and do not want to go to my choir rehearsal again.

Sometimes, I'm mortified that Jude will someday find out about all of the many naughty things I did in my ill-spent youth.

Sometimes, I think I was born to the wrong life. I would have done veeeeery well with more wealth and privilege.

Sometimes, I dream about moving to a peaceful place, some quiet, idyllic seaside town, far away from the hustle and bustle. But then I remember that quiet and idyllic bore the hell out of me.

Sometimes, I miss my parents so much that I close my eyes and try to remember exactly how their skin felt, what it felt like to hold each of their hands, their smells, the sound of their voices. And I can. And then I wonder if Jude will some day do the same with my memory, and I hope that my touch and smell are pleasant things to remember.

Sometimes, I go shopping for clothes, making my way around the store, gathering an armload of stuff I want to try on. But when I get into the dressing room, I realize that every single garment I chose, would have looked good on my body 15 years ago, but nowadays? Mmmm...no. I just can't seem to train myself to shop for clothing that is appropriate for my new age and size.

Sometimes, when Jude is doing something particularly good and saintlike, I worry that maybe he should do something really awful really quick, because if he's too virtuous God might take him from me, like those children who die young and become little angels. I realize that this is in no way rational.

Sometimes, I think I should stop hosting The Spin Cycle because I just don't have the time or energy to work at making it grow. I'm just not a "go-getter". But then I find a spin that I really love, like this "Sometimes" spin, inspired by the amazing Arnebya, and I decide that I love it and will never give it up.

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Sometimes, you MUST go and check out all the other "Sometimes" spins!!

Janice at I Got Nothing

Scriptor at Incognitus Scriptor

Vandy J at The Testosterone Three and Me

Arnebya at What Now and Why? -INSPIRED BY HER OWN SELF!

Suzicate at The Water Witch's Daughter

Kendra at Life in the slow lane

Ginny Marie at Lemon Drop Pie

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Next week on The Spin Cycle...

Why...?

Inspired by Vandy J's "Why?" section of her "Sometimes" post this week, which was inspired by Arnebya's post...are you following me here? As I said last week about Arnebya, if you don't read Vandy, you SHOULD. I'm very excited because in a couple of weeks I get to actually meet and hang out with Vandy in real life! Aren't you jealous? Check out Vandy's "why?" post HERE. Then make it your own.

 Write it, post it, let me know, I'll link it!

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Christmas Book Season Again

This is a repost, kind of. Let's call it a "reworked" post from waaaaaaay back in 2009. But I feel as though it's timely, and perhaps all of my new readers might enjoy this list of Jude and my favorites.

One of the things that Jude and I look forward to most about the month of December is that on December 1st, I always decree Christmas Book Season to be officially open. "Let the holiday reading begin!"  Somehow, we seem to have collected an entire shelf of Christmas-themed kids books and we love, love, LOVE them all. We laugh, we cry.

Now that Jude is a ginormous NINE year old, I had feared that this precious time had come to an end, but on December 1st, HE was the one who pulled all the Christmas books off the shelf and insisted I read to him. You have to understand that reading aloud to Jude has been one of my greatest joys in life, but about a year ago, he decided that he really didn't need that anymore, and he just wanted to read to himself. Heartbreak! So when he suggested that we curl up and I read the Christmas books to him, I was over-the-moon with Christmas joy.

When I first made this list 3 years ago, I narrowed our favorites down to a Top Ten, and interestingly, they are STILL our favorites. I will now share them with you, in no particular order. The links, btw, take you to Amazon, where they'll give me a tiny, wee, itsy-bitsy kickback if you purchase the book. So do that....drumroll...

Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Little Mortimer mouse is tired of living in his cramped and creepy hole, and when he discovers a Nativity Scene set up in the living room, he decides to move in, kicking that silly baby statue out of his cozy little manger bed.  Eventually, he hears the story of who that baby is, and how there was no room for him at the inn, and Mortimer gives up his newfound home for the baby Jesus. This makes me cry EVERY time we read it. Oh look, I'm tearing up right now just typing about it. Really beautiful.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Possibly, Jude's favorite book in the world. The child actually obsessed over the story for a year before I even told him there was such thing as the movie. Who can resist a magical train ride to the North Pole? Another tear-jerker. It took me ages before I could get through the last page without sobbing. I BELIEVE!  

Asleep in the Stable by Will Hillenbrand

Baby Owl wakes up one night (owls being nocturnal)  to find that some people are staying in the stable where Baby Owl and his Mama Owl live. Baby Owl asks all the questions that any kid would ask, and Mama answers him in a gentle and wise way (she is, after all an owl). "Who is that baby?" "That is Jesus, the Holy Child. He is the gift from God." Super sweet and simple explanation of the whole Nativity and God-sent-his-Son-to-us thing. Love, love, love this book! Makes me cry every time I read it. Okay, clearly I cry when I read EVERY ONE OF THESE BOOKS. What can I say?

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

A classic, of course. We actually read it from an ancient edition that I've had since I was a little girl, complete with groovy '60's artwork. Warning: Before reading to a curious 21st Century child, prepare yourself by knowing what a sugarplum is, why Mama is wearing a kerchief to bed, and what the hell "threw up the sash" means.  

Two Christmas Mice by Corinne Demas

Charming and beautifully told story about two little mice, Annamouse and Willamouse who have never met, and live in cozy burrows in different hayfields. They each get snowed into their burrows, and prepare for a lonely, solitary Christmas Eve. Little do they know, that their burrows share a back wall, and when they eventually find each other they have a new friend for Christmas. The illustrations are delightfully detailed. This is a book that always makes Jude and I happy. We read it over and over, and still get just as excited when they finally meet each other.The only thing that has changed for us over the years, is that last night, Jude suggested that Annamouse and Willamouse might be a lesbian mouse couple. Sigh...

The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie DePaola

A beautiful retelling of the classic Italian legend. Technically, if anyone's getting nitpicky,  this is an Epiphany book, not a Christmas book, as Old Befana is an Italian version of Santa Claus,  who brings treats to children on the Feast of the Three Kings, January 6th. Old Befana is a cranky and compulsively tidy old woman (the compulsively tidy part totally reminds me of my Italian in-laws!). One day, the three kings show up, following a star and searching for a miraculous baby. They urge her to come along, but she's too busy with her housework to leave her house. The more she thinks about it though, the more the idea of a baby king who "comes for us. He comes for the poor." appeals to her "Well, heaven knows, Old Befana is poor." and she decides to bake a gift of goodies and bring them to the baby king. Unfortunately, she takes so long getting ready, that she never catches up with the kings, and dies looking for the Baby Jesus. The story goes that she is still searching to this day, and brings gifts to all children because she never knows "which child might be the Baby King". Which sounds kind of creepy and frightening in my cryptic retelling here, but when DePaolo does it it's much better. 

Santa's Kwanzaa by Garen Eileen Thomas

In truth, I think that the relative who gave this book to Jude meant it as a joke. Little did he know that Jude would LOVE it. I'm afraid the book is a little odd, but sweet nonetheless, and it's the first time I've actually understood what the hell Kwanzaa was really about. Here Santa (who just happens to be of African descent) returns home to the North Pole exhausted by his around the world flight on Christmas Eve, and Mrs. Claus and the elves surprise him with a rollicking Kwanzaa party "Welcome Home, Santa Kwaz" - oh yes, they do say that. Santa changes into his kente, and they all party for the next seven nights to show "their deep pride in their roots". Santa's elves are each named for one of the 7 principles of Kwanzaa (try saying Kujichagulia three times fast). It's a clever combination of two holiday traditions. 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Every time I read this, I find myself doing the voice of Boris Karloff. Which I think is okay. Because, you know, Karloff told the story so iconically in the tv special. Jude once asked me why his music teacher at school hasn't taught them how to sing "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch", because "it's a Christmas song, Mom". I told him that most Christmas songs don't have lyrics like "stink, stank, stunk". Which he thought was pretty funny. But anyway, I recommend reading the book too, because it's the original, and Dr. Seuss rules.

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner

I must confess that we actually love Snowmen at Night even more, so I suggest checking them both out. Did you ever wake up to find that your snowman was a little droopy, and maybe his carrot nose had slid slightly to the left? Well, this book tells you just what those crazy snowmen have been up to during the night. All sorts of fun and wacky snowman Christmas festivities. Big fun.

The Christmas Story by Kay Chorao

An elegantly illustrated adaptation of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The pictures really are beautiful, they remind me of Renaissance art. Once, when Jude was much younger, we were reading it, and we got to the big two page layout picture of the heavenly host visiting the shepherds and Jude said "Whoa. Mama. Imagine seeing THAT!" Which, I think, is kinda the point. A good book to have for keeping the "Christ" in Christmas.

Okay, that's my list of favorite kids Christmas books. What's yours? I'm always looking for another one to add to the season!