I remember as a little girl VERY CLEARLY the sweet little things my Mom would do for me.  I guess you could say giving and receiving gifts is one of my love languages.  Very often, I would go to my room after school to find a little surprise laying on my bed.  There is nothing that made me happier.  It was the best!!

In turn, I try to do those same special things for my children.  It is no secret that I am a bit obsessed with holidays.  On one of my recent late night Wal-Mart runs, I found the most darling Halloween books.  I picked one up for each of my children.  A Magic Tree House book for my tween, Berenstein Bears Halloween for my daughter and a Dora Halloween book for my baby.

While the children were at school, I left them on their beds.  They came home from school, discovered their new books and were MIA (missing in action) for about an hour.  They were reading their new books, looking at the pictures and being so sweet together.

I love being able to do special things for my children.  I love seeing their little faces light up with excitement and the gratitude filled hugs and thank you’s they give me.

Next time, I think I will hit Micheals for a little Thanksgiving craft and leave that on their bed as a little after school surprise….!

What are some surprises that you and your tween love?

These cutie boys and friends recently went on a fun outing.

3 Moms +

3 Tweens=

A Fabulous Night out!!

We took them out to dinner at Red Robin and to a book club at Barnes and Noble.  As I have said earlier, my tween is a huge fan of the Magic Tree House book series.

Barnes and Noble hosted a book club for book # 6, Afternoon on the Amazon. They talked a little bit about the book and then made a craft that coordinated with the book.  Lincoln loved the craft that they made and loved that he was surrounded by lots of other kids who also loved the same books that he does.  I think Barnes and Noble also has a book club for the American Girl books.  I have said many times before that I want my children to love reading.  I think the most educated and well rounded people are those who read often.  I wish I could say that I am a more avid reader, but it just isn’t my season for that.

When I attended the open house for my tween’s school, I was so happy to see the great variety of books his teacher had in the classroom available for my son.  She had each book series in a different labeled basket.  I can imagine all those fabulous books he will be reading in her classroom.

Moral of the story…Barnes and Noble ROCKS!!  I never get enough time there, usually spend too much money, but always come away from there with a smile on my face!!

What are some activities you do to keep your tween excited about reading?

I don’t know about you, but this summer is flying by WAY too quickly.  There are only a few weeks left in July…What??  We have made lots of fun memories this summer, but I have lots more fun to check off before we get back to school.

Here are a few things I have learned from my tween this summer;

- His little brain gets rusty when he is away from school too long.  I need to keep up on math especially or he will forget.

- He LOVES The Magic Tree House series.  He will read them over and over again and never gets bored of them.

- He needs structure even if life is crazy and we travel and have visitors….when we get back to our ‘normal life’ he needs structure immediately.

- If he runs around barefoot too much, his little feet start to get all dry and crackly.  We have to keep them moisturized so he can spend another day running around barefoot.

- He needs quiet time every day.  Even if he fights it, he is alot happier when he has it.

- It isn’t fun to be outside in the heat for him if there is not water involved.  He gets hot and grumpy and tired….it isn’t fun!

- He loves meeting new friends and laughing and playing with friends as often as possible.

- He has a blast with his sisters, even though they fight, they really love each other and at times make the happiest memories together.

What are some of the things you have learned about your tween this summer?