Curl up with a good book

When there is nothing but snow, ice, and cold to encounter during the winter months in Spokane, reading inside all day is definitely the best option. (With slippers and hot chocolate, of course).

Maybe that's why Kelly and I decided to do a literacy program. The literacy program basically has three parts:

1. One on one reading with preschoolers. Right now, Kelly and I are the only ones doing the one on ones but we hope to recruit some more volunteers. We spend 20-30 minutes a week reading with preschoolers with behavioral problems or ones who are beginning to fall behind and will be getting ready for kindergarten soon.

2. Family Lending Library. This is the part I'm most excited about. We are collecting books to have a lending library at St. Anne's. The objective is for parents who might not otherwise go out of their way to obtain books pick up a few to read for the week while they are on their way home. We've had a book drive at the school this week and the church we are going to also is doing a book drive for us. Someone even gave me $20 after mass to go buy books!

3. Family Reading Nights. We are going to invite parents for a night of reading/crafts/dinner and talk to parents about how to read with kids and the importance of reading. However, we have to wait till the snow melts so that people will actually come, so this won't be for a while.

My toes are freezing as I type this. John and I just went for a walk. I finished knitting a pair of mittens so I wanted get out and test them. They are warm...my toes, not so much. That's another thing to do in the long winter months - take on new knitting endeavors. (Cables are easy and a lot of fun, Meredith! I just made a pot holder with them to learn to do it first). 

Do something to change the world: Read a good book. I'd recommend The Omnivore's Dilemma or Mountains Beyond Mountains.