Salutations! One of my favorite things to do together is read.  I think I like it because I know I’m totally involved in the same things my kids are.  I’m fully present and the only multi tasking occurring is balancing a boy on my knee while turning a page.

When we finish a chapter book we have a book themed party.  We usually watch the movie of the book, if there is one, and almost always we agree that the book was better than the movie.

It was a rainy day and a good day for a party so we finished up the book and started making decorations. Ramen was planned for dinner which was perfect. We called the noodles webs.  Jack made some biscuits to look like spider sacks and for our treat (since I know my limits) the farm duck was in charge.  This was the perfect time to experience a food destination I’d heard of near Williamsburg called duck donuts.

We played a Hangman type game called Save the Pig until both teams played their “to the death” chance when only one letter was known. If they got it right, it was an instant point. If they got it wrong it was death to the pig.

_____ A _____ _____

One team guessed barn, the other team guessed Fern.  The real word was farm. Sorry Wilbur.

Next it was time for the movie. We filled up the couch and brought in camp chairs for seating and max leaned over from the bench by the table.

The movie was charming and brought out some of the lessons we had learned along the way about kindness and sacrifice and the power of believing in someone and building them up. Charlotte did that.  She had a short life to live and filled it with service.

Bedtime came and so did a late-night trip to Wal-Mart. I wandered the store thinking I’d have to abandon my vision of a miracle in the doorway for the kids to wake up to.  I was too tired and didn’t really know how to make a web. I lack a set of spinnerets. Then my eye was drawn to white pipe cleaners hanging down the aisle.  Are those Charlotte’s secret weapon?  I think so.

A small amount of midnight toiling and the kids did wake up to a miracle in the doorway, and I woke up to 5 miracles behind it.