Happy 2009!

Pessimistic

OptimisticPin It

Books read in 2008

Its always fun to look back on the year and see what was accomplished (or not). :)

Here are the books I read this year.

Atonement by Ian McEwan (first book read of 2008)
The Awakening by Kate Chopin (I hated this)
The Beauty Prescription by Debra Lufton
Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith
Bono on Bono: Conversations with Michka Assayas
Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews (I didn't like this)
Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller
Escape by Carolyn Jessop
The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner
I Feel Bad about My Neck by Nora Ephron
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith
In this Mountain by Jan Karon
The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith
Light From Heaven by Jan Karon
Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (I hated this book)
A New Song by Jan Karon
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory(last book read of 2008)
Out to Canaan by Jan Karon
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
She Got Up Off the Couch: And Other Heroic Acts by Haven Kimmel
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares
Spin Sisters: How the Women of the Media Sell Unhappiness .... by Myrna Blyth
The Spy Wore Red by Aline Countess Romanones
Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart
The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith(I didn't like this book)
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
What is the What by Dave Eggers
What to Read: The Essential Guide for Reading Group Members by Mickey Pearlman
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Not included in this list are a bunch of non-fiction books, mainly on homeschooling, cooking or parenting, which probably total 15.

Grand total: 50ish. I think that is pretty good, an average of a book a week.

books that I started but didn't finish:
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
Middlemarch by George Eliot

I'm surprised how little reading that I did - apart from the #1 Ladies Detective series and the Mitford series. I kept with the tried and true this year! My favourites (that weren't series books) were She Got Up Off the Couch and The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio. Both were funny and inspiring. I was surpised by how many books were memoirs.

A short list of some books I'd like to read in 2009:
- Zookeeper's Wife (the January pick for bookclub)
- Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
- The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory
- something by David McCullough (this Canadian needs to learn more American history for homeschooling!)

I'd love to hear about the books you read this year and what you enjoyed or didn't enjoy.

Happy New Year!Pin It

Christmas reading and Christmas music

I gathered up all our Christmas books and put them under the Christmas tree. (We don't have any present there yet!)

As an aside, we also have 2 nativity sets under the tree - both unbreakable - one vintage cardboard and one is Little People. I ordered this one from Oriental Trading to add to our collection.

My 3 year old's favourite Christmas book is

This book is gorgeous!

I love Golden Books, espcially vintage ones. This one is new but illustrated but one of my favourites - Eloise Wilkins.

I requested a whole bunch of Christmas-themed books from our library. Probably too many! :)

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend


The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving. I read about this book at Christian Children's Book Review blog where it was highly recommended.


God Gave Us Christmas - another recommendation from Christian Children's Book Review blog.


The Candymaker's Gift: A Legend of the Candy Cane


The Legend of the Poinsettia

The Stable Where Jesus Was Born


The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree


We are reading through Getting Ready for Christmas (almost every day, that is!)


We took this book out of the library last year. It is a bit unusual. I liked it but the book actually freaked A out! He didn't want it in his room at night. I'll let you read the description.


We have a bunch of board books about Christmas too.


I've made a list of books I want to request from the library next year!
- Lucy and Tom's Christmas by Shirley Hughes
- Advent Storybook by Antonie Schneider
- The Christmas Star by Marcus Pfister
- This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten
- Little Porcupine's Christmas by Joseph Slate
- Home for Christmas (Toot and Puddle) by Holly Hobbie
- The Christmas Humbugs
- If You Take a Mouse to the Movies

Where do I come up with my book list? Well, I read a LOT of blogs and whenever I see a book recommended, I research it a bit and then (more than likely) put it on hold at my library!

Here are some albums I've been listening to this Christmas season.


By the way, I'm now an "Amazon Associate" so you can purchase books, music, etc. directly from my blog! I get a very small percentage in return.

Do you have a favourite childrens' Christmas book? What about Christmas music? I'd love to hear what you enjoy this time of year.Pin It

Elbow update

I met with an orthopedic surgeon today regarding my elbow tendinitis (chronic pain and limited use). He recommend against surgery. It would take away the pain but wouldn't help me get better range of motion. He said I could have LESS range of motion in my arm! A bummer but I'm impressed with his integrity. I have to live with the pain. I think I need a month in the tropics with nothing to do but signal the poolside waiter. That would heal me, wouldn't it?Pin It

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you are enjoying your day with family and friends.

To my Canadian friends, well, do you have your Christmas shopping done? :)Pin It

Weekly homeschool notes

Math - Saxon Math is chugging along. I'm busy making lots of fact cards. :)

Phonics - A is on a break from Explode the Code. We started using The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and we are currently on the consonant sound g. He was *way* ahead of that in ETC. I just want them to be somewhat in sync. OPGTR is going just fine. I think using the CD with it is good supplement. I wish we had started the program a bit sooner, though.

Reading - some recent favourites are A Toad for Tuesday and The Enormous Crocodile.

Poetry - a great fun book is Zoo Doings which we borrowed from the library. A said "I like short poems!" Ah, what a homeschool mom loves to hear.

Science - Sonlight Science. The activities are (sometimes) fun. We bought some tiny plants and created a terrarium. A great thing for winter! As for the curriculum, I'm not sure if answering the questions on the activity sheets is the best way for him to learn. I think it gets dangerously close to "rote" learning, just spitting out the "correct" answer without really knowing it. I'm open to suggestions, modifications.

Handwriting - A Reason for Handwriting is a big success! I'm so happy I bought this for A. I can't believe how many pages he did (without me asking him)!

History - we have read a whole bunch of books about Thanksgiving. More details here.

Art - on November 11th we went on our first field trip with our (large) homeschool group to the Seattle Art Museum. I'm not sure how much A liked the tour but he really enjoyed the craft project portion - he made a stand up giraffe (his favourite animal.)

Bible - we continue to go through Leading Little Ones to God. My only complaint about this book is the hymn at the end of each sections. There have been *so* many that I don't know and I grew up with a lot of hymns. I have searching to find mp3 and midis (yuck) to help me out. I think they should update the book with hymns that are more commonly known.

Physical Activity - A continues with his gymnastics class. I bought an old video called Mommy and Me workout. It is pretty cheesy but fun for the boys and surprisingly good at getting your heart rate going.

Crafts - we made a gratitude can, Thanksgiving corn and an Indian headress. Maybe we'll squeeze in the traditional handprint turkey tomorrow.Pin It

Free song for Ray Lamontagne fans

I picked up a "Pick of the Week" free iTunes download card from Starbucks today. It is for Ray Lamontagne, a new favourite of mine. The song is You Are the Best Thing. Love it. If you have an iTunes account, the code is 6KKKR6KPH3MA.

Now, I just need to actually *use* my mp3 player! I end up using Pandora more since it is so easy.Pin It

Reading about Thanksgiving

I have collected quite a few Thanksgiving books from Value Village, Half Price books, library sales and once in a while from a regular bookstore! I'm surprised. I think it is my largest holiday book collection. We've also found some gems from the library.

The First Thanksgiving (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) by Linda Hayward.

Thanksgiving Is For Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland. An introduction to being thankful. It doesn't give the history of Thanksgiving.

Richard Scarry's The First Thanksgiving of Low Leaf Worm. My boys are big Richard Scarry fans so this library book was requested. It isn't suited for really young kids or those who are sensitive. It mentions death and talks about Indians being slaves with a picture of them being taken away with bound wrists. My husband and I explained slavery to our boys after I read this book to them.

My First Thanksgiving by Tomie dePaola. This is a board book. It is a great introduction to Thanksgiving but better suited to ages 3 and under.

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh. This one is out of print, I believe. We borrowed it from the library. A very good real-aloud.

The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern. Just the right length and just enough detail.

If You Were At the First Thanksgiving by Anne Kamma. This one is a little wordy for my 5 year old but it will be a good one to have around for years to come.


I saw this one at the teacher store and was impressed. This First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story by Laura Krauss Melmed. It combines math with the story.

We checked this one out of the library but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness. Barbara recommended it so I'm sure it is good!

I am waiting for the following books at the library so we might not get to them this year.
- Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas
- Thanksgiving Fun by Ronne Randall
- Thanksgiving Is by Gail Gibbons
- A Plump and Perfect Turkey by Teresa Bateman

Give Thanks to the Lord: Celebrating Psalm 92 by Karma Wilson. This book looks terrific. It was recommended by Christian Children's Book Reviews.Pin It

Thanksgiving crafts round up

I have found a whole bunch of great crafts for Thanksgiving. I just need to narrow them down. :)

Handprint turkey with a twist - this one is made with foam. Idea from No Time For Flashcards.

A collection of ideas for a Thanksgiving kids table (including printables) from No Fuss Fabulous.

Pumpkin pie scented play dough from Pepper Paints.

Ramblings of a Crazy Woman has a new idea posted almost every day!
Check out her blog for easy, fun crafts especially suited to kids 5 and under.We have already made this corn craft.

This craft is adorable but looks a little tricky for my boys. I might make it myself. :)


I like this one. I encourages gratitude and I have all the materials. :)
Make a gratitude can and have your kids write (or dictate) what they are thankful for this month.

Teepees and houses from Parents magazine. Too cute!

I'm a sucker for the cutesy crafts. Here's another one. Make Pilgrim clothes for beanie baby bears. Do I need a daughter or what? LOL.Pin It

Wordless Wednesday

 

Pin It

Weekly homeschool notes

I'm going to try to post weekly about homeschooling. No promises. :)

I've been keeping a very informal journal of homeschooling. It is fun to look back and see what we've "accomplished." I don't want to get too hung up on schedules and such but keeping records encourages and motivates *me*.

Math - Saxon Math is still going well. My husband and I enjoy using the program even though we don't follow it to the letter. A is doing Level 1 (grade 1).

Phonics - A is working through Book 3 of Explode the Code. This week I also started doing lessons from The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading. Since A reads at about a grade 3 or 4 level, I expected that he would be bored if I started at the beginning or he would want to go through several lessons at a time but he has been content to start at the beginning and go through one lesson a day. One aspect of this program that is an adjustment (to A) is answering my questions in complete sentences.

Science - we are using Sonlight Science. I like the books (Usborne) and having a plan. I'm not too fond of doing experiments - the first one was a bust. The second one that I did was a pain - trying to get a kidney bean to stay half way down the side of a jar with a paper towel in it. Both of my boys enjoy the Sonlight Science DVD and A likes the activity pages.

Handwriting - I had planned to use the Handwriting Without Tears program but decided against it, for now. A gets practice with ETCode and Sonlight Science. I have ordered the first book of A Reason for Handwriting so we'll try that one. It has Bible verses to copy out.

History/Geography - I still haven't found a copy of the Sonlight Instructor guide for a reasonable price. I have been using books from the library for history such as A Picture Book of George Washington, etc. I found some great workbooks at the local homeschool store about American symbols and A ate those up!

Art - A's art class had ended. He may take another in January. This coming week we are going on a field trip to the Seattle Art Museum with our homeschool group. I'm excited about that. The topic is "Animals in Art" which is terrific since it combines A's two favourite things. We are reading through the Getting to Know the World's Great Artists series and have read DaVinci, Monet and Norman Rockwell. A continues to love drawing.

Bible - we continue to go through Leading Little Ones to God in the morning and Little Visits with God at bedtime. I write a Bible verse on the chalkboard every day.

Physical activity - A continues to take gymnastics weekly. We went to a bouncy place this past week which was perfect for a rainy day.

Music - we borrowed the animated movie Peter and the Wolf from the library and the boys enjoy it. We have also read one of the books in the Getting to Know the World's Great Composers series. We have the CD - Beethoven's Wig and listened to it this week although we reached song 5 and A said he was bored. Oh dear.

Crafts we have made lately:
- salt dough ghosties (I can't find the link for this one)
- watercolour leaves from Mother Rising
- spider webs from Make and Takes
- fall trees from Ramblings of a Crazy Woman.

For Halloween, I made these fun spider snacks, also from Ramblings of a Crazy Woman.

I need to find some fun Thanksgiving crafts.Pin It

Halloween photos 2008

 Sorry this post is so late.

This year we had a very frugal Halloween. A's lion costume came from eBay and was less than $18. A and I shopped eBay together which was funny. C decided to wear A's monkey costume (circa 2007) for one pre-Halloween event and then A's chicken costume (circa 2006) for Halloween day itself when we went to a carnival during the day and trick or treating at night. I love it when hand me downs work so well!

Trick or treating was great this year. We joined up with families from my moms group for a potluck and then TOTing. I had never trick or treated as a group and I enjoyed it. The neighbourhood we went to was so friendly and had such high participation. The weather was gorgeous. We even got a workout since so many houses had steep driveways or many steps to climb to reach their front doors. We were surpised at our boys' stamina. C really gets into the asking for candy concept! He says he wants to be an astronaut next year.
p.s. Did you notice C's hair, and the big gap in the front? He gave himself a haircut almost a month ago. What a kid.Pin It

Giveaway time!

Its time for the fall blog giveaway carnival.
For the huge list of giveaways, go over to Don't Try This at Home.Pin It

The play's the thing!

The boys saw their first play today. We went to Molbak's for their annual fall play. It was Hansel and Gretel. Very well done with lots of jokes for the parents. It wasn't too scarey. It helped that the boys had seen the Scholastic video of the James Marshall book version of the fairy tale.

If you are local, there is still time to see this - it runs tomorrow afternoon at 1 pm and 3 pm and it is free.Pin It

Listening to, reading, watching, thinking about..

I discovered a new (to me) artist and I'm listening to him ALL the time (when I'm not with the kids due to a few words that aren't family-friendly). Ray Lamontagne. He has an awesome voice. A bit like Van Morrison but not a copy. You can listen to him here. Or, watch a video. :)


When the kids are around I put on my Fernando Ortega station at Pandora. I'm loving Pandora right now - it is so fun to make my own radio station and discover other artists.

I've read some thought provoking writing lately.

- "When we focus on ourselves, the more it is an empty hole." Read the rest at The Flourishing Mother.

- Could I stop complaining for 14 days? Hmm.

My hubby and I have been watching the John Adams mini series on DVD. Very interesting and educational since American history is unfamiliar to us Canadians.

And, I have to post something about the election. As some of you know, I can't vote since I'm still a Canadian ciitzen. I'm nevertheless very concerned about the outcome on November 4th. This article really sums up why I could never vote for Obama.Pin It

"I need to keep an eye on you, Mommy"

Apparently, I need supervision.

Today while my oldest was at his gymnastics class I wanted to go through the drive through Starbucks. My 3 year old wouldn't have any of that. He said he wanted to come into the store with me because "I need to keep an eye on you." What?? How hilarious! I don't know where that came from. :)

Yes, he did come in with me. He got a cookie. I got a latte. The usual schtick.Pin It

The Accidental Homeschooler - Part 3

I thought it was time to do an update. So many are asking me how homeschooling is going. I can't give a short, quick answer!
Here's a photo of my boys (well one of them) saying the Pledge of Allegiance. A looks so serious! Since I'm Canadian and don't intend to apply for American citizenship it is pretty weird that every morning I'm leading them in the pledge while holding the US flag!

Math - Saxon Math is going well but we had to stop since we don't have the necessary manipulatives for the next lesson. I wish I had looked ahead to see what was needed. What a rookie mistake (blush)!

Phonics - this is such a challenge. A has been reading for years but he needs to learn the "rules" and get the basics down. We started with Explode the Code 1 - it was too easy and my son was bored. He was also frustrated with the writing portion. We are currently doing Explode the Code 2. It is still easy but his attitude and handwriting have improved. I just found out that books 1 and 2 are intended for kindergarten level (which explains his boredom). I have ordered Book 3 and we'll start that when it arrives. I found this terrific book of Phonics poems and A enjoys reading that.
I'm going to try out The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading which I'm buying second hand. The trick is figuring out where in the book to start.

Bible - we are still going through Leading Little Ones to God and I write out a verse on the chalkboard every day.

Handwriting - I'm going to start doing Handwriting Without Tears once the final book arrives. A does enjoy copying out Bible verses and writing things on the blackboard.

Science - I'm going to use Sonlight curriculum once the final materials arrive. We have been going through Usborne's First Book of Nature.

History - I've been finding picture biography books at the library such as Christopher Columbus and Benjamin Franklin. I'm thinking of doing the Sonlight Curriculum since I have most of the books already but I want to find a used copy of the instructor guide.

Art - A has been taking an art class at the local recreation center but that will be ending soon. I hope to go through Getting to Know the Great Artists book series and have a time for drawing or painting.

Geography - A loves Geography Songs - music to teach the names of countries and the US States and Capitals. I highly recommend this. We also made a flags of the world banner which we found in this terrific book.
Music. Yesterday the boys watched a video called the Carnival of the Animals. It is a combination of classical music, poetry of Ogden Nash and video of animals at the San Diego Zoo. They loved it! It was made in the 80s and so the clothes and hairstyles are dated but I don't think my boys noticed.

Crafts. here are some projects for the next week or so.
- Salt dough ghosties from Family Fun
- coffee filter leaves from Mother Rising
- blow paint monsters from Maya Made (C will love this one!)
- spider webs from Make and Takes

Now, I just need patience to wait for books and supplies to arrive and energy and motivation to keep going through each day and stay off the computer! ;)Pin It

Children's book Monday - Drawing book

I found this gem at the used bookstore for a dollar! Ed Emberly's Drawing Book of Animals. (sorry for the tiny image)

My 5 year old son has been literally churning out drawings by the dozens since he read it! What a fantastic book. We love other Ed Emberly books as well. Our favourites are Picture Pie and Fingerprint Drawing Book. Check them out - we borrowed them from the library first.

For more great children's books see A Path Made Straight.Pin It

Getting on the bandwagons

I've joined the Bare Escentuals bandwagon. I went out and bought the basics kit last night and I'm hooked! I put it on this morning and this evening I don't have an oily forehead! That is a first for me. It feels so light on my skin and I love how I don't look "made up."

I also joined the muffin tin craze. I tried it out on my boys for afternoon snack time and they loved it. I took photos but I'm too lazy to deal with uploading and such.

My son is loving his weekly art class at the community center. This past Saturday he used pastels. How sophisticated! Photos to come.

I have an MRI tomorrow morning for my elbow. I hope that it won't be horribly painful like the last unsuccessful MRI where I had to stick my arm into a machine.Pin It

Fun video to share

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.Pin It