Weekly Link Up

Fun new things I’ve discovered in the last few weeks:

A Dress A Day

(Thanks Meghan! She makes it look so easy!)

http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/

The Secret Adventures of Writer Girl

The Girl Who Ate Everything

At least it's not poison ivy

Tyler is completely healed- no more itchy spots and just a few dry skin issues to deal with over the next few weeks. A breeze compared to what we were dealing with before!

He had to get a shot at the Dr. the other day and I was able to say truthfully- it will keep you from getting a sickness that's worse than your poison ivy- and he was able to relate and not freak out over it. Smart kid.

Now he will say "at least it's not poison ivy" whenever he has a minor injury like falling down or bumping his toe. It's good he's got some perspective.

First week of school

We made it through the first week of school. It's tradition to take pictures on the first day and this year I think ours turned out super cute!

Tyler missed the first day. His legs are pretty red still- not bumpy, but a little dry and itchy still so we put him in pants yesterday for his official first day. Luckily it was hot enough that they had indoor recess. He got to ride the school bus for the first time ever!

Sammie survived the first week with only a little freak out about a multiplication worksheet for morning work that only got 10 done (out of like 50 problems). Turns out she misread the instructions and it was addition, though, and she breezed through it for homework. Whew! That was a close one!

Spencer had a blast at middle school this week. He's adjusting to a new building and new people, but other than the few little quirks going on he is doing great. His favorite class by far is his computer keyboarding class that's his elective this quarter.

Before and After

Tyler before his allergic reaction to poison ivy.

Tyler after with his face swollen up.

Gizmo before haircut.

Gizmo after. He looks kind of depressed about loosing his fluffy face.

A symptom of Summer

All week I've thought it was a day later than it really was. Looking forward to school starting if for no other reason that it reminds me that Tuesday is pizza day and Tyler has preschool on Wednesdays, and homework is due on Fridays.

It's a bitter disappointment to realize at the end of Thursday that it's not really Friday after all.

Time for a few book reviews

I've been reading a lot lately and have come across a few books that I really liked.

1. Wake by Lisa McMann

This is a teen novel at it's best. If you like teen books you'll probably get a kick out of this one. It's about a girl who can see other people's dreams. Lisa McMann has an interesting writing style- sometimes she uses incomplete sentences- she writes how people think and talk throughout the book. It's written in 3rd person, present which is unusual. Overall, even with the bit of bad language here and there I really liked it and will read the other 2 books in the series- Fade and Gone.

2. Dragonfly by Julia Golding

I loved this book. It's a completely different world taken from olden times- princes, princesses, kings, evil rulers trying to take over the known world, interesting names that I probably mispronounce in my head- if you like fantasy books this one will not let you down. This book didn't have a map at the front detailing the kingdom though. I missed having that. It's about a princess who has to marry a prince from another land to avoid war with the evil warlord trying to take over the world! Classic. There's even a giant.

The writing sometimes got a bit fro frooy for me. A lot of description. I found myself skipping to the quotes to catch the next bit of dialog at times, but I still loved the story and will read more by Juila Golding.

Here's a few more I've read and think are worth mentioning.

If you like Harry Potter and Twilight you might also like these books:

1. Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins- very close second for me behind Harry Potter as my favorite books.

2. The Mortal Instruments Series- City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass by Cassandra Claire

3. Graceling- by Kristin Cashore (Fire- the companion book to Graceling was not as good. The writing was good, but the topic was very strange and hard to read)

4. Gone- by Michael Grant. Not on the same level of Harry Potter or Hunger Games for sure, but an interesting idea and an easy read.

5. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder- couldn't get into the sequel, but may pick it back up. I liked the first one though.

13th anniversary

Thomas and I celebrate 13 years of marriage today!

Yesterday we went out to lunch and then walked around down town St. Charles- something we have never done together. They have a lot of funny shops with nick nacks and other junk. We saw a popcorn shop, tea shop, spice shop, a great little book store that was quite a find, and our favorite- an old fashioned ice cream shop. I had a strawberry cone that was amazing!

Today was special too. We had our family home evening today because tomorrow night I have to go to one of the kids school orientations. We had a nice lesson by Sammie about "Families can be together forever" and Tyler picked the game of hot potato with a real "tato" for the activity. Thomas made macaroons for a treat that we all demolished with embarrassing quickness. It's been a nice day. A great day to remember our special day and the importance of family.

Sammie's Special Week- Part 2

Monday- Grocery Shopping- not really fun, but she got to pick out all of the snacks!

Tuesday- Craft day with Meghan and the twins! She made a piano bag.

Wednesday- Play date with Anna. OK, not mother/daughter time, but she loved it.

Thursday- El sicko- Spencer was sick Wednesday night with a fever and stayed home from summer camp. Sammie and I played the longest game of WAR that I think I've ever played- about 45 minutes.

Friday- Mom and Daughter week was officially over today. Tyler and Spencer both stayed home sick from camps and it was the last day.

It's been so wonderful having this time with Sammie 1:1. We'll have to make it a more regular thing this school year.

Go Panthers!

I've been hooked on past seasons of Friday Night Lights- the football/drama show on NBC. Netflix has seasons 1-3 online.

It's coming out in my daily life in the following ways:

- I was horrified to realize that I'd picked back up my southern accent for a few days!!!!!!!!!

- I found myself giving pep talks to the kids and wanting them to yell back at me "Ma'am Yes Ma'am!" (kind of joking)

- I "huddled" (not joking) with the kids on cleaning day to develop our game plan

- I began to discuss football with Thomas. It's actually a great way to figure out this mysterious game because all of the video is close up. Maybe I'll get into it this year.

- For those of you who have watched seasons of a show on DVD before you know what mean when I say it's disappointing to have it all end. I wish I'd drawn it out a bit more.

- I realized it's easy for me to get caught up in a show like this. I need to spend less time watching and more time living.

- It's fun to watch drama on TV, but much less fun to live it in real life. I'm grateful for my boring old every day life.

Sammie's Special Week- Part 2

Monday- Grocery Shopping- not really fun, but she got to pick out all of the snacks!

Tuesday- Craft day with Meghan and the twins! She made a piano bag.

Wednesday- Play date with Anna. OK, not mother/daughter time, but she loved it.

Thursday- El sicko- Spencer was sick Wednesday night with a fever and stayed home from summer camp. Sammie and I played the longest game of WAR that I think I've ever played- about 45 minutes.

Friday- Mom and Daughter week was officially over today. Tyler and Spencer both stayed home sick from camps and it was the last day.

It's been so wonderful having this time with Sammie 1:1. We'll have to make it a more regular thing this school year.

Silly Dog

Here's a cute little picture of the fussy face guy to remind myself why I like this dog.

Gizmo won't go outside by himself. Why? I thought dogs liked to be outside. Poor guy hadn't gone potty since yesterday afternoon and I thought he'd be practically crossing his little legs he had to go so bad this morning and opened the door for him to go out with Tyler (not by himself, but anyone besides me is nobody apparently) and he refused.

I put him out physically and he scooted back in before the screen could close behind me. He'll only potty in a yard if we are at someone else's house. At our house he wants to be walked to go. In the extreme weather it's really a challenge to walk him twice a day. Ideas? Comments? Suggestions? All are welcome. Preferably if they are easy and quick! (I know that's unlikely, but still thought I'd put that in there)

Police Dog Tyler

Tyler told us tonight at the dinner table that he wants to be a police dog when he grows up. Good luck with that one buddy.

Let me hear your docile tones

If I could use one word to highlight the last few weeks it would be NOISE. That's what our house has been like- if there's something to get your feelings hurt over they'll find it. (and loudly) If they can raise their voices over something they relish the chance. If they can say a non verbal EGGGGHHHH 100 times in a day you bet they will. (this is a bad habit of mine- the non verbal anger thing... it's not very cute to see it in your 4 year old.)

I've come to the conclusion though that kids are just plain weird. One minute they are screaming at each other and getting time out or privileges taken away for treating each other badly and the next they are sad because someone has to go to day camp and will be missed. I think they will just miss the entertainment value of a good fight.

Random pictures

 

The kids showing Gizmo his gifts.

 

Goofy Girl.

 

I got the camera to take a picture of them both walking looking ahead that day, but at the last minute Spencer looked back at something.  I like how it shows they are so similar in size.

 

Gotta love that kid humor.

Gizmo's 2nd Birthday

Gizmo's birthday was July 16th- picked by us- we got him 6 months ago on that date and the vet told us he was about 18 months old. The cake was disgusting to make by the way. Cute though and he loved it.

Tyler can't be serious for a minute. I mean it's a dog's birthday- let's have a little respect!

yuck. It smelled so gross while it baked. He loved it though so I guess that's what matters.

What a good lookin kid.

Awww.

Sammie's Special Week- Part 1

This week has been all about Mother/Daughter bonding time. The boys started their summer day camps this week and you know what that means?

Sammie and I get from 9-12 every day together! We have not had this type of 1:1 since she was in 1/2 day preschool when she was 4.

Here's what we did:

Monday: Shopping for new school supplies for 4th grade. Exciting stuff. We even went out to lunch at Subway- according to Sammie they have the best pizza EVER!

Tuesday: Two for one Game Day! Thomas had the day off and we played Harry Potter Clue, Yahtzee, and Pictureka.

Wednesday: Movie Day- I suffered through Passport To Paris- a Mary Kate and Ashley Olson feature from when they were like 12. Blah.

Thursday: Painted nails and played Life

Friday: A little bit of shopping- Walgreens and Schnucks and went out to lunch at DQ

Saturday: David and Kari's wedding party with cousins, aunts, uncles, dogs, music, dancing- what more could a girl ask for?

Today: More family, church in Jax and a relaxing evening fighting with her brothers. Good thing we get to say goodbye to them tomorrow for another week of fun with just us girls.

Funny Tyler

You have to love a kid joke. It's actually more fun to watch them get a kick out of their joke than the actual joke!

Tyler comes up with some funny stuff at the dinner table. Last Saturday night he was cracking us all up. Here’s how it went:

Me: It’s church tomorrow so everyone needs a bath tonight.

Sammie: Even Gizmo?

Me: Yes, even Gizmo.

Sammie: I want to help with Gizmo’s bath. He can’t do it on his own because he doesn’t have thumbs. (insert laughing hysterically at her own joke here)

But Tyler beat her out with this:

Yeah, and Gizmo has fingernails but he doesn’t even have fingers!

They laughed about that for the rest of the night.