Today I am going to share a secret, maybe two. Do you know I have 6 children? When people ask me how many children I have and I tell them, they always give me a funny look, and I’m sure they want to ask me “Why so many?” but are too polite to ask. Today I will share reason number 9 why I have 6 children. If you want to know the top 8 reasons, you should follow my blog, I’m sure I’ll reveal them sooner or later.
I really, really love children’s literature. I also really, really love reading bedtime stories. I’ve been happily snuggling up with a child most every night for 25 years, reading from children’s classics to Disney favorites to yard sale finds. Whatever book they dragged to bed for me to read, I’d usually indulge them. One summer the girls and I read the entire Little House on the Prairie series. We read the Hobbit when my boys were young.
One of my favorite themes in children’s literature is the resourceful children who solve mysteries and live in tree houses or in boxcars or museums. I guess I had those favorite characters in the back of my mind when I was designing the felt playsets for Maryland Quilter. The whole set isn’t finished yet, but this week I introduced four new characters, Matilda and her dog, Ginger, Scruffy the Camel, and Astrid the Ostrich.
This is Matilda and Ginger:
This is Scruffy and Astrid:
They are both available as patterns in my shop, here.
And, to answer the question directly, the number 9 reason I had 6 children was to have 25 years of bedtime stories:) That’s a very good reason.
Maryland Quilter 
That is a very good reason, although it never entered my head as one of my particular reasons. We have 5. I get the same look.
Writing a blog has really helped me to think about myself and my motivations and who I am. I’m not a very self reflective person, but I think I should be. The look could also mean “you’re crazy” 🙂 Glad to meet another mom with a large family:)
Hello Maryland Quilter. I can see why you liked my Raggedy Ann and Andys (well parts of them) since you enjoy children having six of them. Anyways, I embroider I love you on the hearts too! Your stuffed felt story characters are too cute! Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.
hello Joanie,
I’m glad you follow the tradition and sew I love you on the hearts– I’m sure all the children love them:) Thanks for stopping by.
G’day Jamie. What wonderful memories you must have of reading all those stories. I think that is fabulous. Good on you. Love the felt pieces. Take care. Liz…
Thanks, Liz, you are always so supportive. I’m thinking and praying for you.
I have five kids – the oldest is 21, the youngest is 6. I’m currently on my second round of the Hobbit! These are adorable.. my youngest would love felt characters, as he not only loves the reading, but he loves acting out the story being read! So cute. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hi Kim,
I love Tolkien, glad to hear your a fan, too! I’m glad your youngest likes to read, my littlest still doesn’t enjoy it much, but we’re working on it.
I adored the time I could read to my children. There were picture books when they were young, then on to book-books. We read Bunnicula when it first came out. We also read Where the Red Fern Grows, what a tear-jerker. Such precious memories. I also love children’s literature and a large percentage of my reading is children and young adult literature; I do love it so.
Sometimes it’s better not to grow up:) Thanks for sharing your memories.