The Wind in the Willows Book Club
This book club was a Cottage CORE dream! My amazing friend, Crystina, chose the title and hosted this month’s book club! This year each mama will have the chance to pick the book title and host Enchanted Children’s Book Club. We use SignupGenius to sign up for each month! I sent out the sign up sheet last year and every mama has signed up already!
Although one mama plans it, EVERY mama helps execute it. Each and every one of us signs up to bring or do something. It is truly a group effort. I could not do this without them!
The Feast
Sweet and simple is our motto! Ratty from The Wind in the Willows loved packing his picnics, so of course, we had to have a picnic feast!
My cute girls. The reason I started Enchanted Children’s Book Club.
Discussion Questions
After eating our treats we do discussion questions. One of the mamas created these awesome discussion questions. She reads them aloud and allows the kids to yell out the answer! It is so fun to hear the excitement in their answers!
I just love this picture. This mama asking the questions is awesome! She gives her attention to every child and makes each one of them feel special.
The Craft
As always, the craft table was decorated beautifully. We created a Wild Wood wind-chime as our craft. We will be collecting items throughout our many adventures this year and tying them to our wind-chimes.
Can we just admire the craft table once more? Crystina even put our craft sticks in a picnic basket!?! Like stop now!
I brought these quilts from home. The two small quilts were homemade by the mother of the sweetest woman alive, Lori Cripe. When she (the mother) passed away, her daughter gifted these to me. Although I had no relationship with the mother, I had a mother-daughter relationship with Lori. These quilts are used during our tea time or indoor picnic at home. I feel so blessed to have a part of them here in Utah.
That big quilt behind the girls…My mama made that! It is the most beautiful! When we were kids my mama use to make us clothes. You know, like with a sewing machine haha. She has so many gifts & talents and I strive to be like her in many ways.
I grew up in a cottage core type of house and now I am striving for that in my own home. When I got married and left “the nest",” she gave me this blanket and other sentimental things because she knows I’m sensitive like that haha. I love that my girls are growing up with this quilt, the way I did.
The Activity
Crystina is ridiculous and I say that in the most best way possible! She planned this awesome activity! The children had a blast “driving” crazy like Mr. Toad, dressing up like a washer woman, jumping off a train and stealing a horse!
After Book Club
After 2 hours of eating, crafting, and playing we decided to have the kids play outside on the field. It was a beautiful sunny day, we haven’t had much sun this winter, so off they went! The kiddos played with dirt, sticks and pine needles. My sweet girl, Thalia, started to make a tent made out of sticks.
“Mama!! Come here, I want to show you something!” This is what she wanted to show me. This stick tent was her pride and joy that SHE wanted to show ME. I love these sweet tender moments.
Packing up
After such a magical book club, we packed up our cars, said our good byes & headed home.
This picture of my friend’s car brings me such joy. This is a trunk full of love. This is a trunk full of sacrifice. This is a trunk full of intentional mothering and intentional teaching.
I am so grateful to do this children’s book club life with 7 amazing mamas and their beautiful children.
links
When it comes to decor, I try to use everything I have at home. I love everyday and seasonal decor so I have plenty at home. If I ever need anything I ask the mamas in our book club first! Or hit up a thrift store! I create the links to give you an idea of what a book club for The Wind in the Willows vibes look like haha!
At the end of the day, your children will remember the moments mama read to them snuggled on the couch and the sweet intentional moments with friends.
Xoxo,