{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

         Every Thursday, at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

                                                                         

                                

{pretty}

Craig has been growing hydroponic veggies since January.  Its his latest hobby. I love sending the kids out to pick me fresh tomatoes or peppers.  Earlier in the year we had spinach, broccoli, lettuce and squash.

Nothing is more pretty than seeing Grandbaby #8 with Grandma, who visits almost daily to see her brood.

                                                {happy}

Emma is ALWAYS happy (except when she's hungry, of course).  She's already 10 weeks old.

Catherine loves holding her baby sister!

Happiness is playing with the water hose at Grandma's.  No need for swim suits here.  They just use Grandpa's old tee shirts. 

{funny}

I was teasing Craig when I took this picture.  I told him that he's officially an old man.  Not because he turned 40 this past December, but because he was wearing a white undershirt all day.  Only old men wear white undershirts around the house.  Meanwhile, I've been running around in my Birkenstocks.  Does that make me his old lady??

Anna with her best friend on her birthday.  I know there's nothing funny about casts.  Thankfully its off.  The funny part is that it took us 3 days before taking her to the ER.  She didn't complain and said she was only sore.  Turns out her "sprain" was a small break.  

{real}

Summer time is when I move furniture around.  This summer I'm relocating our books and turning the school room into the boys' bedroom.  The six girls will be divided among the 3 bedrooms upstairs.  I'm starting to feel like the old woman in the shoe!

Kolbe reading to his brother Vincent.  Its ironic that Curious George is being read to Vincent as he's probably related to that troublesome monkey!!  I love that Kolbe doesn't realize he's practicing his reading when he reads to Vincent.  Life is busy and some days the only way I know Kolbe has practiced his reading and Vincent has been read to is by pairing them up.

To see some more {pretty, happy, funny, real} posts, visit Rosie at Like Mother, Like Daughter!!

Summer Reading with Half Price Books

Do you know about the summer reading program at Half Price Books? For every reading log turned it, a child receives a $3 gift certificate with no minimum purchase necessary. Up to one log per week can be turned in. Logs are available at the front counter or at the website (look under Downloads). They ask that the child either read or be read to 15 minutes a day.

We've been enjoying our weekly outings to Half Price Books. Isabelle has even gotten books on her 6th grade reading list like The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Caddie Woodlawn, and Understood Betsy. Best of all, all those books were less than $3!!!

Its no secret I love books and Half Price books is my favorite hangout. I'm so happy I'm walking out of there without spending a dime.

Okay, maybe a few dimes or so have been spent.

Happy reading!

My Summer Reading

So what are you reading this summer?

A few days ago I didn't have a clue as to what to read this summer. Ironic because I have LOTS of books. LOL!

But I'm tired of reading about homeschooling or learning disabilities , etc. Well, my MODG Yahoo loop has given me some WONDEFUL ideas and has jumpstarted my summer reading booklist. This is what I have ... so far!

Dr. Sear's The Vaccine Book

Hold on to Your Kids (Attachment parenting beyond the toddler years .... why didn't I know about this book sooner??)

Kristin Lavransdatter, a Catholic historical novel series written by Sigrid Undset

I've never heard of this series but I LOVE anything historical fiction as long as it isn't soft porn. I'm really looking forward to starting this series. I tend to read slower and take my time when I know I have several books ahead of me. I hope the books are big. If they have 600 + pages I don't devour them in one night. I think that's why I like Michael O'Brien's books.

Finish Michael O'Brien's series. I have yet to read:
A Cry of Stone and Sophia's House

Also, I might pick up some more of Loius deWohl's books. I have only read The Restless Flame.
I would like to read some more of his books. Haven't decided which one to start with. His are also historical fiction based on the saints.

Finally, I picked up this book by Colin Powell at a library sale. I LOVE reading autobiogriophies. The modern ones I've read to date include those by Karen Hughes, George Bush, Tommie Franks, Laura Bush, and Michael Reagan. My all time favorite autobiography is Growing Up by Russell Baker. I read it in college and have re-read it probably a half dozen times. Its the true story of a man who grew up during the depression and war. Made me laugh and cry.

Also, I'm currently at the beginning of Geraldo's HISPANIC. Very interesting. I agree with a lot of what he says and probably disagree with a majority of you on the issue of immigration in the United States. I always assumed he was Cuban due to his lighter skin tone. Never knew he was Puerto Rican!!!!

I enjoy reading informational books on dyslexia or reading or homeschooling. But I miss reading just for pleasure. Also, reading for pleasure gets me in trouble. I stay up very late and tend to neglect my motherly and wifely duties. LOL!

Not that I'm saying I'm neglecting evryone this summer. But I tend to have to sneak reading in. Well, now that its summer and summer school will only consist of math and reading, I can read while the children play.

I solemnly vow to put down any book I'm reading by 10pmish. And that I will feed my family and potty train Catherine this summer. Yeah, this will be the third attempt. Not that she isn't willing. I'm just not willing to remember to remind her. Well, I've decided this summer is it. She must be potty trained before baby arrives. Also, she hates being wet and I'm changing her diaper a hundred times a day. She's more than ready.

Anyways, back to books. What is on your summer reading list?

Also, a few weeks ago I read two more books from the Betsy Series. I won Betsy was a Junior and Betsy's Wedding on Ebay. I stayed up until 3am reading those books. Believe it or not, those books really nispired me. Reading them as amother gave me a whole new perspective. They made me long for the old days when women took pride in being homemakers. After reading them I was ready to sew myself an apron. I haevn't eyt, but I just might.

I hope to finish my collection of Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy series. And I really can't wait to start reading fun books again. During daylight hours, that is! I've never actually stopped reading.

I'll put up a cleaner list on my sidebar of my summer reading. I might even add to it! LOL!