Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Why does the White Witch turn Tumnus into stone?


So... we finished Chapter 12 of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe last night. Tonight we read Chapter 13. I adore these books. I started reading them to my girls (ages 4 and 2) 12 days ago. I thought, what the heck, I bet they can get the gist of the book.

My 4-year-old raises her hand at least twice each chapter to ask about Mr. Tumnus and why the White Witch/Queen turns him into stone. She is deeply invested in what happens to poor, Mr. Tumnus. I love that she wants to pretend she's Lucy. My 2-year-old likes to say Aslan, Narnia and oooooh in fright when the White Witch is mentioned. She also reminds us that "the White Witch pretended to be good."

Sometimes I have to pause, during the descriptions of the trees, grass, valleys, to wait for them to bring their attention back, but they get the action, plot and are so excited to have me read to them each night, a new chapter. There's something so warm and cozy sharing books I love with my little ones. It just makes me so darn happy.

I hope this is the start of many C.S. Lewis readings in their lifetime.

ps. Regarding my goal to do better...yesterday, was a good day. FHE went off without a hitch, no one went into time-out, I didn't raise my voice once... it was like a new me. The girls seemed to be cooperating all day. It was a mini-miracle. Today...I'm going to keep a prayer in my head and go at it again.

3 comments:

Holli said...

I read the Magician's Nephew and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to my kids on our drive last year to Washington State. Great stories. Love to share great stories together with my kids.

Way to go on the calm parenting. I have been working on that for quite some time. I have better times than others, but I can see such a difference in my kids when I handle things calmly and with love and understanding than flying off the handle. It can be such a hard thing to fight off the natural man when four kids are making messes, bouncing off the walls, bickering and I'm late! But step by step we can get better. I'm with you!

Geo said...

Unlike the White Witch, you are not pretending to be good. You are good.

QueenScarlett said...

Holli - I'm impressed you can read in the car... I just get carsick. ;-)

I need to get into a zen place for calm parenting... I think it would help if I were just a calmer personality... so it's a challenge for me. ;-)

Geo - Thanks... some days...I'm not so sure. ;-)