Once Upon a Time...

Bedtime stories are a staple in our house and even Camilla joins the nightly ritual!  I thought I'd share some of our girls' favorite stories - some were given to Sophia (and in turn, shared with baby Camilla) by Rod and I, and some were given to Sophia as gifts.  Either way you cut it, these stories are fabulous (that's fancy for 'super-duper great' according to Fancy Nancy!)

Fancy Nancy and the Fabulous Fashion Boutique

by Jane O'Connor

This book definitely gets the most mileage!  Sophia knows this one by heart and LOVES to 'read' it to us...she says that she is Fancy Nancy & Camilla is the little sister, JoJo.  If you love frilly, fancy, girly stories - Fancy Nancy & her stories are the cat's meow!

Big Sister, Little Sister

by LeUyen Pham

This book is quickly becoming the new coveted favorite at storytime...Sophia also knows this story by heart.  We picked it up at Pottery Barn Kids over Memorial Day Wkd and absolutely adore this story!  The plot/storyline is simple:  the Big Sister always gets to do things first, gets to stay up later and always gets the new clothes - the Little Sister is always playing catch up, wearing the hand-me-downs and trying to be big...just like her big sister.  The illustrations are priceless and crack me up each time we read it.  Want more proof?  Even Camilla claps with delight during this gem!

Bedtime for Mommy

by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Given to Sophia by my parents, this little story is perfect for little ones to understand just how 'difficult' putting a little one to bed can be.  I just noticed that the illustrations are done by the author of Big Sister, Little Sister - which means we'll be looking for more books by her!  Ironically enough, Sophia does every single stall tactic in this book.  Better yet, she was doing them far before we ever received the book!  Sophia giggles as we read this story (again, knows this one by heart) and loves thinking that she is tucking ME in!  This didn't solve our bedtime-stalling issues, but only changed them to incessant question-asking (I might as well be sitting under the lone pendant light in an interrogation room - HA!) and requests for lullabyes.

Welcome to Your World Baby!

by Brooke Shields

Nana & Papa gifted this sweet story book to Sophia upon Camilla's arrival.  Sophia was completely delighted as she loved the idea of being the new BIG sister and having the job of showing her new baby sister everything in 'her new world'.  Very cute and touching...Sophia likes the idea of playing dress up and putting on plays/shows the best :)

Green Eggs and Ham

by Dr. Seuss

If it's by Dr. Seuss, what's NOT to love?!  We gave this story to Sophia last Christmas and she digs the silly words, the repetition and goofy rhymes.  The exact same things the rest of us have loved about it during our childhood too!  Just beware: this book is much lengthier than the others I've highlighted.  I learned that the hard way one night...oops!

Sophia reading Green Eggs & Ham to Camilla

I Wish That I Had Duck Feet

by Theo LeSieg

Just realized that this is not written by Dr. Seuss, but apparently carries the coveted Cat-In-the-Hat type seal of approval (or something!).  Given to Sophia last summer by some friends of ours, they even paired the book with fuzzy/furry duck feet (aka slippers)!  Sophia LOVED the package deal and we giggle over the silliness of the whole plot - very cute!

So happy storytime from our casa to yours!