Great books

I was inspired today to think of my all-time favorite kids' books by a post I read on a message board. Don't we all have our favorite books that are still so memorable and special to us? I absolutely LOVE this quote from "You've Got Mail" said by Meg Ryan's character, a children's bookstore owner: "When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does." It's SO true, isn't it?

I have a list compiled already of books that I want to get for Sophie when she is old enough to read them. I so excited to be able to share them with her, I can't wait!

Do you have any favorites you want to add? I love getting reading recommendations, so fire away.

Here's my list...

• From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, E.L. Konigsberg
• Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia McLachlan
• The Westing Game, Ellen Raskin
• Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Louis Sachar
• Wayside School is Falling Down, Louis Sachar
• The Great Gilly Hopkins, Katherine Patterson
• Bunnicula, Howliday Inn, and The Celery Stalks at Midnight, James Howe
• Miss Pickerell Goes to Mars, Ellen MacGregor
• Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls

Most of these books were either read to us in elementery school or assigned to us to read on our own. A couple I discovered myself, but all of them are SO great, I can't wait to see what Sophie thinks of them. Frank has his own list as well. It includes Trumpet of the Swan, the Little House books, A Wrinkle in Time, Watership Down, and The Hobbit, among many others.

For right now, Sophie's a big fan of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Guess How Much I Love You. And so am I.

The Latest... Indiana trip pics, et al.

I've been neglecting my posting lately, but seeing as how I don't think anyone ever looks at this thing, it probably doesn't much matter anyhow. But here's some new pictures of Sophie for all of the one or two people who check here every now and then, Julie and Andrea. :)
(Most of the photos are from our trip to Indiana recently for Grandpa Levi's 80th birthday.)

Hi, Grandma!

Getting a big hug from Aunt Sara.

Grandma and Grandpa Levi and our niece Maddie

The Levi Clan at the big bash.

Sophie at the park.

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These next ones are from Doug & Andrea's visit. Sophie had a good time playing with their little boy Gideon, who just turned two in May. The ones at the end are of Frank and Doug playing Wii Boxing. It was quite amusing to watch.