Then I'll huff and I'll puff . . .

One of my fondest childhood memories is laying in bed with my dad as he tells us the story of The Three Little Pigs. Judson was always the first pig, Shay was always the second pig and I was always the (smartest) third pig. I distinctively remember the tone of his voice when he said, "Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll bllllllllllllow your house down!!" Laughing hysterically was not uncommon in our bedroom.

Reading stories is a part of our night-time ritual. Unfortunately, we live far from the library and when we do get around to going, the books are ancient and they smell like an old folks home. So I've resorted to telling my version of the stories from my childhood. Gavin's most requested is The Three Little Pigs. I think his favorite part is when I say, "Then I'll huff (breathing in) and I'll puff (blowing out) . . . ". Lately he's been covering his eyes when I do that part. I think the air in his face was bugging his eyes--or my breathe was offending him . . . Either way, he giggles and giggles and giggles during the story. He even helps by saying, "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin".

Thanks, dad, for teaching me how to manage money, how to act responsibly, and how to tell stories.