Lately, Christopher and I have been enjoying a new evening tradition. As the cold Fall nights descend upon us, I get Cate off to bed, and then Christopher and I sit by the fire, drink tea, and each of us quietly reads our own books.

Christopher has become a fan of Perfect Peach tea, and I've been drinking an Echinachea wellness tea. Friday night, Greg was on a business trip. Instead of a family movie night, Christopher and I just both stayed up a bit later than normal reading quietly together til past 9pm. It was a sweet time together -- one of those things that makes you realize how much your kids are growing up. We got a late start on all the "Battle of the Books" books so he's having to work pretty hard to catch up if he wants to participate. I think the battle is the first week in November and he has at least 5 books left, even though he's been making very strong and consistent progress. I think I just should have bought the books right when school started rather than waiting a month. I guess either way, the program has brought a number of books into his pathway that he has really enjoyed, especially "Clementine," "Gooseberry Park," and "The Penderwickes."