Today the boys are all sick.  They've lounged the morning away on the couch after an eventful night of vomiting and fever.  Not the ideal way to spend a Holiday off of school, but we're making the most of it this President's Day.  

Amidst the lethargy, thermometers, and Grandma's homemade chicken broth, the boys and I pulled together on the couch to read Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire's masterful children's book GEORGE WASHINGTON.  

Beautifully illustrated, this history lesson reads like a storybook, taking us from our first President's early childhood, through his years as a surveyor in Virginia, and then his exciting and dangerous exploits as our Nations first Military leader.  By the time we hit the last page, where the people of America's 13 Colonies vote him our Nation's first President, Caleb was literally leaning his fevered little body against mine and asked to read the page himself.  

* sigh *

We also have the Parin d'Aulaire's story on the life of ABRAHAM LINCOLN, and Caleb has already begun reading it on his own.  He is excited to have the time to finish it tomorrow, as I'm sure he'll be home recovering from this flu bug.  

At school Caleb is learning about Venn diagrams; more specifically he's learning how to note the similarities and difference between a book's two main characters.  His next book report will require him to put a diagram together and present it to his class.  Who knew President's Weekend would afford us such a wonderful opportunity to practice this exercise with our Nation's two most famous fathers - George and Abe.  

Caleb has already pointed out that they were both tall, both elected President, and both courageous in their own way.  Caleb told me that Washington was courageous as a soldier, but Lincoln had to be courageous to stand up against Slavery.  

I love my boy and I like his mind... even when it's cased in fever.