Best Daddy Ever

I love that my kids love their daddy so much!  This is a cute picture I took of them on Father’s Day!  Dylan is holding the picture he colored for his daddy and Nathan is wearing the tie Avery made him.

The Gift

For Mother’s Day I got my mom and mother-in-law this book.  Sharon enjoyed it so much she got it for Shannon, Crystal and me for Mother’s Day also.  It is a great book of short life stories,  that teach a lot about what being a mom means, during the good times and more difficult ones.  Most of all, I appreciated that it reminded me I’m not alone in being a mom and others out there are experiencing things I am too.

Eight more books to read to reach my goal!!

The Mortal Instruments

Again, my thanks go out to Catherine for suggesting I read these.  FANTASTIC!!!  There was never a dull moment in all 4 of the books, I was constantly entertained and wanting to know what was going to happen next.  I love the characters!  Each of them had such strong, unique personalities and struggles, real life human (“mundane”) stuff.  I recommend this series to anyone and everyone.  Though I haven’t read the Twilight series, I’ve heard if you enjoyed it, you will enjoy this series too.  It is based on the same kind of slayers, demons, vampire, werewolf kind of stuff.  LOVED IT!!!

One question remains… is it really over??

Just as a note - I saw who has been cast as Jace for the movie… I don’t know.  He just seems a bit too feminine looking for the part.  I think the girl chosen for Clary is perfect, though!

 

Butterfly Hunters

I would say my kids were simply “catching” butterflies, but the goggles made it a whole new game!!

Neighborhood Book Club

This month we started a book club in our neighborhood.  This past Wednesday night was our first gathering.  It was fun, different than what I expected, but I don’t know really what I expected. 

We were few in numbers, but it was entertaining getting to know the others a little better.  I was a bit surprised by the choice of book, as it really is a children’s book. I was assuming a book club would inspire books with a bit more depth or thought provoking.

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  The book was cute and imaginative.  It irritated me that kids would run away from home and give no thought to what it might be doing to their parents, but I guess that’s just the stage of life I’m in right now.

A Trip to the Zoo

Our pass will be expiring at the end of the month.  I’m still not sure if we will renew it or not.  Tuesday we went to the zoo with Makenzie and Kiersten.  It was lots of fun and they have new dinosaur exhibits around the zoo, titled ‘Zoorasic Park.’  Most of the dinosaurs moved and made noise.  The T-Rex was so loud that the ground literally shook when it roared.  It was really cool!

The kids also had fun on some random horse type things they had out.  They rode the train and merry-go-round as well (of course).

We also looked at exhibits, lots of animals (giraffes remaining Avery’s favorite) and they posed whenever possible!! 

Even though Avery had a few tough moments, needing to be carried and throwing a fit, it was a great day!

Loving These Books

I have now finished the Hunger Games series and the Barrington family Saga series.  I loved them both!

Catching Fire.  This was my favorite of the series.  The twists and turns continued to catch me by surprise.  The characters continue to grow and have great depth.  The new characters introduced are just as strong. 

Mockingjay.  This was my least favorite.  I didn’t mind the ending, just the entire book seemed a little scattered.  I felt like too many things were being forced to happen and there wasn’t enough detail given to important events that had been before.  It was wonderful reading and I still think it odd I enjoyed reading about something so horrible.

A Quiet Promise.  Well, this one made me cry and inspired a long talk with my mom about my tracheotomy when I was 3.  It was really good and I can always use a good cry.  I love the faith that the characters have and their determination to follow their promptings and leave their lives in the Lord’s hand knowing He will guide them.

At Heavens Door.  I really didn’t enjoy this book as much as the others.  It got really mushy and winey and I just wanted it to be over.  I guess it served a purpose, but I think the series would have been better without it.

Promise of Zion.  The final book of the series.  I enjoyed the entire series more than I thought I would.  I look forward to reading more of Stansfield’s books.  This book was probably my favorite of them all. I know that the early saints struggled, but, wow!  There was a reason I was born when I was.  I don’t think I could have faced what they did.  I continue to be impressed with their sincere desire to follow the prophets and do all that was asked, even in such circumstances.

Just as a note, I realized I had counted wrong.  With these books read, I have 14 more to go to reach my goal.  Luckily a friend recommended another series to me, so I will be starting The Mortal Instruments series next.  Thanks, Catherine!

Fun in the Sun

Saturday we had so much fun outside!  We were watching the Wells kids and decided everyone should get wet.  So, first we put the sprinkler under the trampoline, which always makes for a good time.  Next, Nathan (being the wonderful husband and father he is), made a Kid Wash that I saw in the Family Fun magazine for the kids.  They absolutely love it and it turned out great!