On Mothering, by J.M. Barrie

Todd has been reading Peter Pan to our children, the complete unabridged version. When I hear him reading, I love to peek around the corner and see our three little ones, hanging on his every word.   What a wonderful sight.

So far, this is my favorite quote.  Mrs. Darling has a way with her children, which so far, I admire.  I'd like to adopt a few of her ways myself.

"Mrs. Darling first heard of Peter when she was tidying up her children's minds. It is the nightly custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to rummage in their minds and put things straight for next morning, repacking into their proper places the many articles that have wandered during the day. If you could keep awake (but of course you can't) you would see your own mother doing this, and you would find it very interesting to watch her. It is quite like tidying up drawers. You would see her on her knees, I expect, lingering humorously over some of your contents, wondering where on earth you had picked this thing up, making discoveries sweet and not so sweet, pressing this to her cheek as if it were as nice as a kitten, and hurriedly stowing that out of sight. When you wake in the morning, the naughtiness and evil passions with which you went to bed have been folded up small and placed at the bottom of your mind and on the top, beautifully aired, are spread out your prettier thoughts, ready for you to put on."

~Excerpt from Peter Pan by James Matthew Barrie

"My Lamb, you are so very small, 

You have not learned to read at all. 

Yet never a printed book wtihstands 

The urgence of your dimpled hands. 

So, though this book is for yourself, 

Let mother keep it on the shelf 

Till you can read. O days that Pass, 

That day will come too soon, alas!"

~E. Nesbit,
Dedication of "Five Children and It."

T just found this adorable poem and I feel like it perfectly describes my experience with our two book-loving bears.  What a blessing that books are some of the most treasured toys in our house!  I think at last count we had gone through 4 copies of "The Hungry Caterpillar," 2 copies of "Goodnight, Moon," 2 copies of "Tails" (it had pull-tags, which definitely sealed its fate), and our copy of "Ten Wriggly Wiggly Caterpillars" is on its last legs.  We now frequent the library once a week, which is great for variety but keeps me on my toes making sure that each book gets returned in its borrowed condition.  This week we have read nothing but "Hop on Pop" and "I Wish That I had Duck Feet" (both by Dr. Seuss) for the past 10 days.  We may need to make another trip to the library before I start speaking entirely in rhyming phrases made of three and four letter words.

Happily Ever,
Queen B

MBA Oath

I want to share a new book with all you business-minded readers.  MBA Oath just hit the shelves and it getting great reviews.  It is a great, inspiring read for anyone involved in the American business world.  Plus, the Oath co-founder and book co-author is one of our dear friends, Max!  Congratulations, friend, on a job well done!  He is doing great things in business already.

You can  read more about the MBA Oath and purchase copies of the book here.

Happily Ever,
Queen B