Most of the children didn't mind at all that their stacks were smaller, but our nine year old commented, "Now that I actually like books, my stack is so much smaller than usual!" A few years ago he was the one who, as he was opening the last book in his stack, was overheard saying, "Please don't be a book, please don't be a book, pleeeeassse don't be a book... Oh NO! It is a BOOK! And it's a bad one... There is a FAIRY in it!"
Here is the list of books that did make it under the tree this year.
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Captain (age 16) received two additional books from the series he was given last year by Rev. Henry S Spalding S.J. The Marks of the Bear Claws and The Race for Copper Island. Also available directly from St. Augustine Academy Press.
Ranger (age 14) received Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 3: Build Siege Weapons of the Dark Ages along with Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction Targets: 100+ Tear-Out Targets, Plus 5 New Mini Weapons
The older boys were also given a copy of the brand new book by John Flanagan, The Battle of Packham Heath to add to their collection of Ranger's Apprentice books, the inspiration behind the Ranger's Apprentice Birthday Party a couple years ago.
Twinkle Toes (age 13) has been reading through the Nancy Drew books again and asked for Book 1 in the series to add to the collection she has from my childhood. She received The Secret of the Old Clock as well as Color the Classics: Anne of Green Gables: A Coloring Book Visit to Prince Edward Island.
Chiquita (age 11) received God and the General's Daughter as well as The Chronicles of Narnia Official Coloring Book. She has been loving her writing class this year using Following Narnia Volume 1: The Lion's Song and has already requested a Narnia themed birthday!
Snuggles (age 9) received Strangers at the Manger, as well as three books from the Matt Christopher Sport Series: The Hockey Machine, Ice Magic, and Body Check. (Thank you for the suggestion, Debbie, he has read all three of them already and looks forward to reading more in the series!)
Rose (age 7) ended up receiving (and has been loving!) the Jingle Bells Christmas Carol Coloring I had gotten at a discount with purchase at Barnes and Noble, a copy of I am Therese (to go along with the Doll she received for Christmas, and The Story of the Snow Children. She was one of the ones whose books didn't arrive in time, but I now have some gorgeous fairy tales stashed away for her Easter basket!
Bud (age 5) received Ollie's Ski Trip, Favorite Thornton Burgess Animal Stories Boxed Set and Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
