August Baseball Sumup

Kids lining up for their trophies

Emmett and his coaches

Emmett LOVED baseball.  It was slightly comical to watch because the coaches definitely had ~14 mainly highly energetic boys on their hands that they were trying to teach.  As parents on the sidelines we heard a lot of 'no talking when I'm talking' and 'no touching other kids'..... but they had a TON of fun too.  The coaches had those boys' attention with funny names like 'Big Turkey' and warning about 'stinky feet' if they weren't paying attention.  The boys would die in giggles.  They learned a lot though in just one week of baseball.  At the end of the week, all the kids got a sucker and a small trophy for participation.  It was a really good experience for Emmett and he had a lot of fun that week.

Happy Surprise :D

Book Review: Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

I recently received a copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers to review.

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

Let me first start off by saying that the idea behind this book was very interesting.  Despite some of the areas I felt were very problematic for me, I still wanted to finish the book and find out how it ended.  Here were my initial problems with the book.

First, it was written in first person.  While I can see the logic behind doing this with the twists and turns the main character, Julia, is going to take and the surprises at the end, I felt this was annoying at the beginning because the reader is confused.  It's not until around pages 160 that for some reason things start to fall into place and things become clearer for the reader.  I, personally, found it annoying to be that confused for that long into the book.  However, on a positive note I still read on.

Secondly, the main character actually drove me a little nuts in her compliance with everyone's wishes around her.  While I sometimes do not agree with the new strong feminist characters in this era that are popular right now in writing (I don't feel they are always historically accurate), I definitely got annoyed at Julia time and again for not putting her foot down more often.  I realize that it moved the story along in the direction the writer needed it to go, however my anger at her often made me want to put the book down because I found her quite the fool.  The author tried to recover this later in the book by reminding us that she is extremely shy, which I did not get from the beginning at all, but it still did not make up for her lack of strong character, even after Julia resolved to do so.

(spoiler!) Lastly, and this is a small thing, I did not like it that near the end of the book they just threw in there her dad wasn't really her dad and ,oh, this guy is your dad.  It just seems nearly impossible that there wouldn't be some indication of it while growing up from her mother or father.  This is exaggerated a bit by the fact that they made such a big deal about who her dad was, the big Athiest, and how she was treated because of her connection to him.

There are positives in this book.  The story line is very interesting and I do find it to be an excellent story if I have to go back to parts of it to discern the truth because I've been surprised in the end.  I loved Edwards loyalty at the end of the book and was surprised at Mr. Macy's evil since he gave off such a caring vibe while she at his castle.  Overall, there were characters who the writer did a very good job of switching our idea of their morals by the end.

I might recommend this book and I would probably check the second book out from the library to find out how the story continues, as the I feel the author is very good at twisting storyline. I wish a few of the issues in the book were fleshed out as I think it would make the book so much better a read.

Summer Fun Photos

Our Library summer reading theme was traveling.  They had these fun jeeps

(motors out) for the kids to sit in :)

Audrey making us laugh from her mimicking us for the camera.

Chopsticks for the first time.

Audrey thinking she's pretty brave from a distance.

Walking the pigs for Aunt Alisha.

We got a fish!! 

Playing with new noodle swords.

Dinner out at the Train Diner.  Choo-Choo!

Monster Truck Display at Bass Pro Shop!

The Quack Pack

Shooting Bow and Arrow for the first time.

Playing at the Splash Pad!

Eating Pizza in our tent watching a movie.

Soccer Photos Sum Up

Emmett dribbling down the field in their 2 on 2 match.  He scored a goal!!!

'M' enjoyed his soccer the last several weeks.  There were definitely kids there that previous soccer experience even though the kids were only 3-4 year olds and well, M definitely had none but that didn't matter.  The coach and assistant coach were great and after a few times they had them 2 on 2 across the field.  It was so cute the first time as M and the other three were running down the field with the ball, completely bypassing the net to head to open grass area.  The coach had to stop and turn them around, reminding them that they were supposed to be putting the ball in the net :O)  What fun :)

The kids meeting with their coach at the beginning.

Watching the other groups practice.

Soccer Signup

It's official!!! We've signed Em up for Soccer this summer. I'm SO excited to see my little man out there playing and watching his 'games'.  Since the age group is 3-4, its a completely for fun opportunity and I doubt their 'games' will be very long but I'm thinking highly entertaining.  Watch for upcoming posts next month with pictures of my handsome little man in his 'uniform'.  He's rarin' to go... wasn't quite sure why he couldn't play today :)

Bedtime Stories and Prayer Blessings for Bedtime by Mackall and Bostrom Review

I recently received a copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers to review.  It's about an 8x8 hardback book.

Bedtime routines often include a story and prayer. Now parents and kids can combine both with a special Little Blessings compilation book. The padded hardcover book includes the following sweet stories:

• Bedtime Blessings, which reminds kids that God created nighttime too and they have nothing to fear
• Thank You, God, which reminds kids to be thankful for everything
• Blessings Everywhere, which helps readers remember their blessings
• God Loves You, which carries the most powerful message of all to comfort and guide little ones through the night and through their lives.

Each page is filled with full color art of the endearing multicultural Little Blessings characters with illustrations by Care Bear creator Elena Kucharik.


The first thing I noticed was the illustrations as we initially flipped through the book.  Darling! They are colorful and take up most of the page so it really catches my kids' eyes as we read through the book. My one-year old loved them and sat pointing and jabbering at the animals, especially, for awhile.  In fact, although I've been trying to keep the book up so the pages stay rip-free and bent-free, she is adamant about wanting to look at this particular book she so loves looking at the pictures.

The stories and prayers themselves are perfect for my one and three-year-old.  There are short verses on each page with the big illustrations so that we weren't just sitting on a page for a long time and losing interest. My 3-year-old son actually sat through the entire book and he's quite the wiggly worm! The stories are also very encouraging and reminding kids that God loves them, God made the nighttime too so its not a scary thing, God's blessings are all around us, and to be thankful for all God has given us. I love being able to have additional encouraging content to read to them as we do devotions in the morning.

Also, in my opinion the book is an excellent length.  We can technically read the entire book in one sitting, however for bedtime (when you're really ready for the kids to lay down but just need a little something to calm them down first) the short stories and prayers don't take long to read.

I would highly recommend this book or give it as a gift to anyone with toddlers!  

Happy Birthday Turbo!

Happy Birthday 'Turbo'!!!! 

I can't believe 'Turbo' is already 3!!!    This past year he's been learning words and making sentences clearer than before.  He can figure more difficult things out faster (which makes Dad and Mom update previously working kid safety devices).  Not to mention an air of self-sufficiency that was already there but growing.  I'm glad to say though he is a fabulous sleeper now, even if he still prefers to be up pretty early. 
He LOVES his cars.  He can not have enough in his eyes and he carries them around in this funny circus lunch box.  They go in and out of that lunch box all day.  His little sister has discovered this and it makes for a much coveted toy around the house and you never know what will be inside of it!
We're in the midst of potty training and its going so much easier since we waited.  He recognizes 'left' and 'right' feet (thanks to shoes) and he has a very vivid imagination.  He loves to pretend to be animals around the house; the most recent animal is a very very very noisy bird.  He's also determined to get a 'big black dog' (his exact words) and while the dogs he points out aren't black they are still 'dogs'.  We've agreed once we get a fence we'll get a dog though he might be waiting awhile.

Pirate costume from Grandma: bandana, eyeglass, and a MAP!!!

 He's getting pickier about his foods which I'm pretty sure is normal at this age.  He's always been a little boy who only wants to eat his favorite thing on his plate and a lot of it but now his favorites are diminishing to primarily: yogurt, mac and cheese, chips, ice cream, carrots, pizza pizza, juice, popcorn, apples, oranges, PB&J and toast.  Thankfully there are a few healthy options in the bunch to really live off of.

Whittle people and wood vehicles from Daddy and Mommy

And finally, he's got such a sweet side to him.  He is always making sure my feet are covered with blankies when we are lounging around looking at books or watching a cartoon.  He calls downstairs after he's put to bed at night to ask if we would please turn the fan on, he's hot up there.  He always politely asks for ice cream for breakfast, and would in the least be upset if popcorn was the only thing available ;o)

Working with tool belt from Mark and Laura

Taking his own pictures at his party

Reading cards and being patient for the gift!

His cousin wearing a fun hat!

A Seek and Find Book!!!

His own step stool so he can help Mommy in the kitchen!!!

Someone was spoiled on his birthday!

His CAT cake..... his Daddy  may of had an influence in this!

Wow! Candles!!!

Birthday Girl's First Birthday Party!!!

Dessert Table

Her Cake

Chocolate Cake Pops

Chocolate cupcakes

Pink Popcorn

Lunch Table: Chicken Salad Sandwhiches, Chips and Dip, Fruit, Sherbert Punch, & Water

Mason Jars and fun straws!

'CELEBRATE' banner

Sherbert punch and cups

Birthday Girl's Chair

Gift Table

Card Holder and Sign

Alisha playing with Birthday Girl

Pulling out tissue paper!

Opening Gifts

Great Grandpa B. and Shane

Great Grandma L.

Cutie pie swimsuit from Olive's family!!

Grandma and Emmett playing with Birthday Girl's new toys.

Trying out her new puzzles.... also a fabulous teether for her :)

ohhhhhh, check out that candle!!

YUMMY!!!!  She had no problem eating the cupcake.  There was no hesitation in showing it in her mouth :O)

I can't believe its been almost a year since we moved to this house and had our little girl!!!  Where does time go so fast?!  It's been such a fun year and as the two kiddos get a little bigger and able to play with each other better and so neat to watch them interact.  

The Birthday girl (weighed about a month ago) is ~21 lbs.  She's got presently only one little lone tooth that came in not that long ago.  Her still auburn hair is getting an oh so adorable curls  in the back as it grows although I'm still waiting to be able to put barrettes in it yet :O)  She has a BIG sweet tooth.  She loves anything sweet and while she's okay with veggies and healthy foods such as eggs she'll grunt and squeal until given spoonfuls of ice cream, cake, icing, etc.  The night of her birthday party, she took her first official steps and she's been getting braver since!!!!  She tries to walk, though, when no one seems to be looking so you have to be watching to see this little girl in action :O)  

Happy First Birthday Baby Girl!!!!