Our List of 8 Great Bedtime Stories

Our List of

8

Great Bedtime Stories

  I believe the only thing for me that is more precious than that glorious bedtime; that time when we are all winding down and feeling relaxed and at ease, are mornings.

I love the sound of those little feet hitting the floor at the crack of dawn. Hearing their first words of the day..."Momma, I'm awake!"

I know, I'm a mushy momma! But, bedtime is so important. It really is.  To have some sort of routine. Something that helps them know that this time is needed, for them and yourself.

I know every night won't be the same. Schedules change, kids get sick, they have needs and demands that come up as the clock ticks on.

You're tired, you have things to finish up. We've all been there!

So, on those nights that do go as planned, make it a good time to bond. Take advantage of those moments when they know your sole focus is on them and that you cherish this time.

 Sharing a story with a child is one of the best ways to share some time with them.

We read a TON of books around here! I even started a Goodreads account for little E a while back. It helps me to keep track of most of the books we've read together.

I realized when sorting through her books and trying to get them organized that we really do have a lot of books about bedtime. That seems to be a theme that we both enjoy, and they really do help her relax and want to listen to the story.

A few of our favorites, or ones that we seem to read and re-read, over and over are listed below.

*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on a link and making a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Great Bedtime Stories

1. Night Noises by Mem Fox

2. Tell Me Somthing Happy Before I Go To Sleep by Joyce Dunbar

3. Good Night, Wonder Pets by Simon Spotlight/Nick Jr.

4. Snug as a Bug by Amy Imbody

5. Good Night, Little Rabbit by J.P. Miller

6. It's Time to Sleep, My Love by Nancy Tillman (my favorite)

7. Bedtime for Peppa by Scholastic

8. Night-Night, Sleep Tight by Jerry Smath

I hope you enjoy our list, and make reading a time to bond with your little ones. It doesn't have to be  bedtime stories, or even a book! Tell them a story that you remember from your own childhood, share the when I was little stories with them. You can even have them help you tell a story. Give them an idea and see where they go with it.

I have found so many wonderful books all around. Yard sales, library sales, discount shops, thrift stores, online, and even given to us by friends. If you look, you can find a book!

What are your child's favorite books about bedtime?
Do you have a favorite?
Please share! We're always looking for new stories!

What's That Quote? #18

What's That Quote?
 Y'all, I do not know why I decided it was a good idea to do my one true, weekly posts on Mondays!
What was I thinking???
Seriously, I am struggling!
Not just with this blog and keeping consistent, but with...life!
I already have some issues I am dealing with on the daily. Today, we have hit another...set back, inconvenience...struggle.
One more thing to add to our plate.
Today's quote, quite literally fits my day. My Monday.

"The struggle is part of your story." 

Author Unknown

Let me just say, this is going to be one hell of a story! 

I do not know who the author is that came up with this quote, but I'm pretty sure they know MY LIFE!

It probably would be easier and more organized/readable to do a bullet list post of my struggles.

Ya know, like a top 10 or something funny like that. I'd have to just laugh through it to keep myself from crying, breaking down, and completely losing it!

I really am a firm believer in finding the blessings in everyday. I know each day I have plenty of blessings and things to be grateful for. I truly do. 

Sometimes, I feel like the more I try to be good and do right and fight to be a better Christian, a better wife and mother; the more the Devil knocks me back!

I am struggling!

I hate that every time I have an ounce of peace or hope that this is it! This is the time we start seeing our hard work pay off...BAM! Back on our arses!

I'm tired of getting the kids hopes up and seeing them have that sparkle back only to have to say...Oops, my bad. Nope, can't do it!

I have been working really,...really hard and being consistent with this blog. Actually, putting in the work to try and earn a little extra to help out. I have spent hours studying, researching, reading, typing, trying new things, all to get better at this and finally start contributing.

I've been shopping and bought up a TON of new books to get little E into her preschool and reading(also to add more to my blog posts).

I feel like I'm doing all this for us, for them to better myself, for them!

I had a peace that I was getting somewhere, getting ahead.

Today, my darling calls at 10:50 am...odd because his lunch isn't until 11 am.

Hmmm. I answer the phone and hear...

"Babe, I just got fired!"

Ummmm, Excuse me...what?

Long story short, the company decided after 9 days that his contract was costing them too much and it would be an inconvenience to start over and train him elsewhere, so he could take $2.25 pay cut to be a general employee, or he could walk. He refused to walk ot on his job or take another pay cut, so they said, "Sorry, bye!"

Y'all, I'm struggling!

I need prayer! We need prayer!

How in this world do we get ahead?

Here is a part of My Struggle,...My Story

What are you struggling with today?

Recipe: Super Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

  I love Summer and all the glorious, beautiful veggies that come with it...fresh!
Zucchini are one of my favorites!
It is becoming so versatile with all the wonderful recipes floating around Pinterest.
I seriously have found tons of ways to use zucchini. Sliced, diced, fried, baked, and even the new zoodles trend is catching on!
Awesome Zucchini Recipes
I wanted to try to make up a semi-healthy, quick recipe to use as a new, summer recipe. One that hopefully at least 2 out of the 3 kids wouldn't completely refuse to eat.
Here is what I came up with. It is really a mixture of ideas from several recipes I have found.

Super Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

Ingredients:

• 1 large zucchini
• 1 large yellow squash
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• saltine crackers(crumbled)
• 3 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper (to taste)
• cooking spray or stick butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425F
Slice zucchini and squash into discs
coat a 9X9 baking pan with cooking spray or butter
start to line your pan with a layer of your zucchini and squash(I ended up doing like an every other one pattern.)
Then you will put a layer of your seasoning on(salt/pepper, garlic and parsley)
Now a layer of your Parmesan and 1 1/2 cups of your Mozzarella
Continue on to your next layer. Your pan should hold two layers
Again, zucchini, squash, seasoning, hold off on cheeses until last!
Now, you will sprinkle on your crumbled crackers. I used  Aldi's brand "Ritz"(cause they are the best) and it was about half of a sleeve.
Pour your whipping cream over the top and then your last layers of Parmesan and Mozzarella
Pop it in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until your cheese is melted or golden to your taste.
Remove and allow to cool.

Voila'

I love this recipe!

I actually had 0 complaints! That is a total score for momma! Everyone kept raving about how good it was and..."When can you make it again?"

It really is super simple and you can always play around and mix it up to your own tastes.

My favorite was all that gooey cheese and I am partial to the outside section and all that golden crispiness!

The zucchini got soft, but not enough to make it that yucky mush, so I wouldn't go more than 20 minutes to bake. Also, I am a firm believer in everything keeps its skin except bananas, oranges, and onions, so that may have helped the zucchini keep its texture. I'm not 100% sure, but it worked for me!

Sooo, eat the skins!

I hope y'all will give this one a try and definitely let me know.

How did you like it? Did you change anything up? Will you make it again?

Inquiring cooks want to know!

Drop by and share!