Summer Reading Program

Our library has a summer reading program that Faith L-O-V-E-S!! For every 2 books she reads, she gets to color a monkey's footprint. After coloring 16 footprints (reading 32 books), she gets to take her reading log to the library to receive a prize. There are 4 prizes in all. This has been so much fun for both of us. Before this program, Faith wouldn't let me read to her. She liked to take the book and "read" it herself. I explained the "rules" of the program to her and told her that it didn't count if she didn't let me read her the whole story. Now, she will let me read and read and read and read to her. It is SO MUCH FUN!!

I am leaving a list of some of Faith's favorite books for some of you who like to take your kids to the library. I would love to hear what books your kids are enjoying/have enjoyed when they were toddlers. Sometimes we just randomly grab a book but I love going to the library in search of specific books. Especially ones that have been tested by other toddlers we know and love!

Faith's current favorites....

1) What Shall We Do With the Boo Hoo Baby? by Cressida Cowell, Ingrid Godon
2) Boo Hoo Boo-Boo by Marilyn Singer (she's really into Boo Hoo/Boo Boos)
3) Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you See? by Bill Martin Jr. (loves this whole series)
4) Whose Shoes? by Anna Grossnickle Hines
5) Froggy Learns to Swim by Jonathan London (loves this series too)
6) Let's Be Animals by Ann Turner
7) Whose Baby Am I? by John Butler
8) Baby Bear Discovers the World by Marion Dane Bauer
9) What Makes a Rainbow? by Betty Schwartz
10) The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Let us know what you think we should check out next....

Eli's Birthday Party

Last Saturday, we celebrated Eli's first birthday with family and friends. We held the party at a local spray park. Unfortunately, after we arrived we realized that lightning had struck the spray ground and all the water features were not working! Bummer! The main reason we chose this park was for the spray ground but someone ran home and got a sprinkler so we made do....not as cool as the real water features but the kids all ended up having a blast!


Mommy made my snorkle cake. it was a big hit with all my friends! They all wanted a piece with "the hair".I tuckered out pretty quick. After my nap, it was time for cake!! My great grandma is the best! I love it when she holds me. She turned 89 this week!!!


Faithy couldn't (and didn't) wait till it was officially cake time.
I LOVED my cake!!


I also love Cheetos!

Time for play! These Tidy Cat buckets were VERY CLEAN!! I loved to splash the water!



In lieu of gifts, Eli collected art supplies for The Julian Center's summer art program. The Julian Center is a very special shelter that helps victims of domestic violence. They were THRILLED with all the supplies we brought.

Eli's year in reviewl!!

We can hardly believe that a year has passed since this precious little smiler entered our world! We love you so much, Eli Burkhalter Sanderson! You have brought us so much joy! Here's a very quick recap of Eli's first year!!

(side note, I'm a little embarrassed to notice the rice krispie treat in my hand!! I had gestational diabetes with Eli's pregnancy and was placed on a strict diet...a very cruel thing to do to a pregnant woman!! I CRAVED rice krispie treats like crazy. I tried to figure out how to make them sugar free and never could. My dear friend, Katherine, brought me a large batch of the 'real' thing the first night we came home from the hospital. I guess I was too enthralled with them to even set it down for the picture!)

Happy Birthday, Eli!! We love you so very much!!

Daddy, Mommy & Faithy