The Harrowing/Heartwarming Parent Moment of the Week

What is that fabulous trio of children’s books displayed upon my favorite writing chair? Those are the “September Books” and represent a fun family tradition and worthwhile extravagance. Each month, I suppress my childish squeals of glee as I purchase 3 wonderful books with 3 wonderful boys in mind. Once those fabulous tomes are in hand, I am on the lookout. Is that a son of mine forgiving his brother, doing a chore with particular fervor or a remarkable lack of grumbling, sharing graciously, or giving up his Saturday morning sleep-in to pick up garbage with his sleep-deprived parents? Whenever I catch one of my boys being awesome, I pull his book out of my sock drawer, write about why I am proud of him inside the cover, date the page, and present him with his book. I order my books at our little local bookshop A Book For All Seasons and they are always on the lookout for our favorites on the used shelf. For less than a dinner out: I have a blast; my boys are praised for the good they do at an age when it is easy to only notice the late homework, socks strewn across the living room, and that live snake that somehow ended up in the bathtub; and literacy and imagination are encouraged and allowed to flourish. Win, win, win! What are some of your favorite family traditions?