Rock of Ages:

Thanks to One2one Network, I was able to recently review the new Cd that was released July 13, 2009 "ROCK OF AGES" based on the new Musical.

I wasn’t sure what to think but it had a lot of good older artists playing on it, so i was eager to listen. We received it in the mail the other day, and was instantly singing along and dancing to it in the car! The girls that it was just great! I loved that i knew a lot of the songs, and could sing along.

I’m not a huge fan of Musical’s but this Cd, makes me want to go see it. Its sounds great!

Here are a list of the songs on the Cd:

• Just Like Paradise/ Nothing But A Good Time
  
• Sister Christian
  
• We Built This City/ Too Much Time On My Hands
  
• I Wanna Rock
  
• We’re Not Gonna Take It/ More Than Words/ To Be With You
  
• Waiting For A Girl Like You
  
• Wanted Dead Or Alive
  
• I Want To Know What Love Is
  
• Cum On Feel The Noize/ We’re Not Gonna Take It (reprise)
  
• Harden My Heart/ Shadows Of The Night
  
• Here I Go Again
  
• The Final Countdown
  
• Any Way You Want It/ I Wanna Rock (reprise)
  
• High Enough
  
• I Hate Myself For Loving You/ Heat Of The Moment
  
• Hit Me With Your Best Shot
  
• Can’t Fight This Feeling
  
• Every Rose Has Its Thorn
  
• Oh Sherrie
  
• The Search Is Over
  
• Don’t Stop Believin
  

As you can see the Soundtrack is just got a tons of good songs in it. The Cd is a sound recording of the Musical Set in 1987 in a legendary Sunset Strip rock club, a small-town girl meets a big-city dreamer and they fall in love to the greatest metal songs of the 80's. The musical is an arena-rock love story. Stars people like:

Constantine Maroulis an American Idol Finalist, Amy Spanger, Adam Dennheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Lauren Molina, and many many more. If your interested in also seeing the musical, you can get tickets here. You can also get a preview of some of the songs there. Now hurry up and go get a copy today!

Thursday Thirteen:

 

 

This week I’m going to do 13 of my all time favorite movies:

1. My Best Friends Wedding with Julia Roberts, great movie about best friends and knowing when to let go!

2. Coyote Ugly with Piper Perabo, always loved this movie.. The soundtrack is good! About a girl making her way after high school.

3. Save the Last Dance with Julia Stiles, another one great movie. Bit sad.. I tend to cry every time I watch it. About a girl who isn’t sure if she should give up on her dream after her mom dies.

4. Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts. About a woman who gets stuck in a life style, but meets a rich guy she falls in love with and shows her she is so much better!

5. All Fast and Furious Movies with Vin Disel and Paul Walker. Action packed and well the actors aren’t bad to look at! These are about racing cars, and an FBI agent.

6. Bad Boys Movies with Will Smith… again a great actor, but the movies are full of Action and I love them. About two best friends that are cops, and trying to keep their witnesses safe.

7. Twister with Helen Hunt. Not only can I repeat many of the lines, but it is a good movie about a couple that tries to learn the most about tornado’s so they can give people warning.

8. Harry Potter Movies are great movies about a boy who looks regular but is a great wizard. Awesome books, and just as good movies.

9. The Love Bug is a classic Disney movie that I love. I think Herbie is the best every beetle. I don’t know what it is about them, but I think they are great movies!

10. Mulan another one of my favorite Disney movies. I think it is a great courage story about a girl who is trying to protect her father, and does something that could get her killed.

11. Never Been kissed with Drew Barrymore. Another classic romance story..but its funny.

12. Speed with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. About a bus that has a bomb and the police officer has to figure out a way to save them, and then of course their is budding romance.

13. The Lake House another one with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. About two people who meet but live in different years. Shows how they meet…very nice romance.

I’m sure there are many more movies that I love, but these are some of my top favorites. What are some of yours?

Book Basket:

 

 

Hope your all having a good week. I know we seem to be having a pretty good one… Rachel is on the mend, and the girls still love stories!

Here is our list from this week:

• Fred Stays with Me!! by Nancy Coffelt this was a cute book, about a girl who lives with both her parents. We thought it was cute, but I also think it might be a good one for anyone that is going through a divorce.
  
• Anna Banana and Me by Lenore Blegvad this was a cute book, that shows with a bit of imagination and magic, you can over come anything. Gotta love the adventures that follow!
  
• That Pesky Rat by Lauren Child who is by far one of our favorite Authors… and so we had to read this book.
  
• A Pocket full of Kisses by Audrey Penn the author of another of our favorite books “The Kissing Hand”.

In honor of Rachel starting school this fall…

 

I thought this was cute, and a neat thing to do… So I’m doing this for Rachel, and next fall I’ll post another one for Sage. :)

I got this idea over @ A Purse Full of Cheerios and thought it was a neat idea. The ones we have done are in Pink, and the ones we plan to do before school are in purple… and the ones we haven’t or can’t get to before school will be in black!

100 Things To-Do Before Kindergarten

1. Go to the zoo (if you count the Disney Animal Kingdom, if not we hope to go to the Tampa Zoo shortly after school starts)
2. Visit a farm
3. Go on a hike (we have actually been on a few, and hope to go on many more)
4. Play with baby animals (kitten and a dog)
5. Catch a frog (many times with screams to accompany)
6. Make a gigantic mess
7. Help clean up a gigantic mess
8. Master the monkey-bars (we are trying very hard to get this one, every time we go to the playground!)
9. Swing high up into the sky all by themselves
10. Try ice-skating (sadly we didn’t get to this before we left Maine, but maybe someday!)
11. Go sledding (we went numerous times when we lived in Maine)
12. Make a snow-man (one of our favorite things to do in the Winter, when we lived in Maine)
13. Blow bubbles
14. Plant seeds and watch them grow (we did this again this summer, and we now have huge tomato plants)
15. Have a pillow fight
16. Jump on a big bed
17. Jump on a trampoline or in a bounce house (she has done both… But loves Auntie Di’s Trampoline) 
18. Hang out in a tent
19. Spend days at the beach (we are in the best state for it, and sadly we don’t get there as much as we would like too)
20. Build sandcastles
21. Go fishing
22. Go out on a boat (hopefully while we are in Maine on Vacation)
23. Play with blocks and puzzles
24. Read the classic picture books (and then some, one of our favorite past times is reading)
25. Read a classic chapter book
26. Check out library books with their own library card (every week)
27. Get a passport
28. Carve a pumpkin
29. Hold a newborn baby
30. Love a special doll or stuffed animal (numerous ones)
31. Bake cookies and cakes
32. Help plan their own birthday party (but maybe this year)
33. Attend 4:00 a.m. Liturgies before he has to wake up early for school
34. Go to a museum on a quiet weekday
35. Play hide-and-seek
36. Play a board game
37. Do nothing whatsoever all day
38. Try a sport (tried baseball and soccer, neither seemed to be her thing…so now its dance)
39. Watch a sporting event
40. Learn to swim
41. Be tickled in hysterics
42. Paint and draw as much as desired
43. Have complete use of scissors and glue (almost there… we are working on it)
44. Display artworks and other creations around the house (there are so many we need to start an art museum!)
45. Learn to use a camera (and keep an album of the results!)
46. Play with clay
47. Pick flowers
48. Climb a tree (maybe while in Maine, not many tree’s in Fl to climb)
49. Gaze at the moon and stars
50. Toast marshmallows and make s'mores
51. Learn to eat an ice-cream cone
52. Watch a sunset
53. Learn to write their own names
54. Learn their addresses and telephone numbers
55. Learn their parents' full names
56. Set the table (she loves to do this)
57. Clear the table
58. Help wash the dishes
59. Learn to say their pleases and thank yous and excuse mes
60. Watch fireworks (but she wasn’t a big fan)
61. Go to the ballet or theater or a puppet show
62. Put on a ballet or play or puppet show at home
63. Finger paint
64. Dress up in costumes at will (almost everyday!)
65. Learn rhymes and poems and songs by heart
66. Have a picnic (another one of our favorite things to do)
67. Enjoy friends at preschool and at the park
68. Invite friends over to play
69. Get to know grandparents
70. Play with cousins
71. Make our own kite and fly it
72. Learn the name of our president
73. Know the name of their town, state and country
74. Be familiar with a map of the world
75. Snuggle together with a bowl of popcorn and a good movie
76. Hear and learn words from a different language (she is very into learning Spanish)
77. Learn the difference between trash and recycling
78. Grow their own vegetables
79. Learn to ride a bike
80. Take a road trip (to Maine and back to Florida again in a bit over 2 weeks)
81. Draw a self-portrait
82. Slurp alphabet soup
83. Learn to twirl spaghetti on a fork (she tries awful hard)
84. Pick strawberries
85. Star in a home movie
86. Learn a cool trick
87. Practice reading
88. Practice writing letters
89. Practice counting to 100
90. Make up stories
91. Send a letter
92. Receive a letter
93. Ride on a merry-go-round
94. Give away toys and books to less fortunate children (we do this a few times a year)
95. Learn the value of coins and bills
96. Keep a piggy bank
97. Try a musical instrument (she like her brother is trying the piano)
98. Have a heartfelt wish granted
99. Have a heartfelt wish denied
100. Practice writing thank you notes

 

I’d love to see anyone else’s answers if you decide to post one! Have a good rest of the summer!

Simple Woman’s Daybook":

 

 

 

For Today July 27th , 2009

Outside my window.... It’s kinda cloudy…warm with a slight breeze… most likely going to get a thunderstorm soon.

I am thinking.... Only 17 more days til I see my little man!!!

From my imagination....lots of scrap pages. I’ve finished 30 pgs so far, only another 20 or so to go!

I am thankful for.... my family… thanks for all your support and love!

From the kitchen.... Have no clue… We ate the leftovers last night, so I have to figure something out…

I am wearing..... Shorts, a t-shirt, and bare feet!

I am reading....  A few different books…  My most current is a “A month of Summer by Lisa Wingate”

I am hoping..... that my trip to Maine goes without a hitch, and we have a good time, and I get to relax with some friends for a few days!

I am creating... lists for what I need to bring to Maine with me, what I need to bring home…. I’m so forgetful lately if I don’t I won’t remember any of it!

I am hearing.... The girls making up their own fairy names!

One of my favorite things....Listening to the kids tell me stories at night before bed.. they have such cute imaginations!

A few plans for the rest of the week:   Doctor’s appt, Library, and relaxing while Rachel gets better, and some packing for our trip!

A picture I am Sharing.…  Hunter lost his fourth tooth!!! :)

Book Basket:

 

 

This week we read some interesting books… we like to look for the unusual books as they are not always as they seem…  After all you can’t judge a book by its cover right???

• Diego and the Dinosaurs By Lara Bergen is a nice book for that child just begining to learn to read. It has pictures in place of some of the words so your child can help you read. My 4 & 5 yr olds love this!
  
• Arthur and the True Francine By Marc Brown was a cute book based on the Cartoon Arthur on PBS. This one teaches the importance of telling the truth… even when you don’t want to get in trouble cause it can effect other people.
  
• Eating up Gladys By Margot Zemach was a cute book about a bossy sister.. My girls laughed at this one, but also learned that being bossy isn’t such a good idea sometimes.
  
• Scared By Jane Bingham was a nice book for my 5 yr old daughter. She is scared of everything lately… and this asked things like “What makes you scared” or “Is there a way to feel better” and gave some examples of kids who got scared and what they did.
  
• Think Cool Thoughts By Elizabeth Perry was one of those off the wall books. But I thought it was cute, and showed how your imagination can help you do so many things like even cool off the air!

That was our list from this week. Happy Housewife should be returning next week, so we can see other peoples list again. I hope that you enjoyed your library books this week, and we always welcome any suggestions. See you next week!

Calendar issues…..

 

with the new school year right around the corner?? I know I seem to be having horrible scheduling problems lately…whether it be due to my absent minded brain getting older, or just pure mistake. But in the last two months, I’ve missed TWO appointments. (yes I am ashamed to admit that)

I’ve tried regular calendars… and I actually have one hanging on my wall in front of me now..but its blank. I even have a small one in my purse which has stuff in it, but I forget to look at it everyday. Is there really a solution if you don’t have a palm pilot or a handy dandy organizer?

I think so! I found this website last year COZI , but had forgotten about it until they sent me an update on recent stuff they are doing. I clicked on it and logged back into my account, and remembered what I loved about it! Today I took the time to sit down and update it and insert all my recent appts. It has really cool features like color coded calendars for each family member. I have one color for each person in my family and a color for us as a group. Then you can enter your appts, or holidays, school vacations, trips, or whatever you like. You can set it to remind you via email, or text. I of course choose text cause i always have my phone near by! Plus you can have list going on it for things you need to pick up by store, and have that also sent to you. It also has a Family journal to input any important dates or things that happened on that day. Another way to remember something your kids might have said or did, till you can put it in a journal or scrapbook.

I really like it….. and its options. Plus its FREE! Mine is all set up for the upcoming busy school year, with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Dance, Doctors, play dates and more!  Go check it out and be sure to let me know what you think! 

Simple Woman’s Daybook:

 

 

For Today July 20th , 2009

Outside my window.... It’s hot and humid …maybe a thunderstorm later to make everything wet… Blah!

I am thinking.... things are slowly getting organized and done… little more to go before my little man gets gets back.

From my imagination....lots of scrap pages. I’m on a roll this month!

I am thankful for.... the time to get things done, when I utilize it!

From the kitchen.... Not sure… any ideas? Maybe steak?

I am wearing..... Skirt, tank top, and bare feet!

I am reading....  Nothing  finished all my books, and need to order some new ones from the library today!

I am hoping..... that my trip to Maine goes without a hitch, and we have a good time, and I get to relax with some friends for a few days!

I am creating... lists, and more lists! Can never have enough right?

I am hearing.... The girls roaring like dinosaurs! Very interesting…. At least they are not fighting right?

One of my favorite things....Talking to my mom almost everyday even if about the most non important things ever!

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Rachel’s dance(last one from the summer classes) , Library, more organizing,  relaxing, some swimming, time at the playground and lots of pictures!

A picture I am Sharing.… 

Rachel smiling for me!

Barbie Fun:

 

 

My girls have fallen into the Barbie phase… it has been coming slowly but more so this past year. They like to play with them for a few hours at a time. Still can’t seem to keep track of those shoes though!

Well this week they got a surprise… Nana was able to get them a really cool accessory! Now their Barbie's can go camping! Check it out!

 

They have a mini tent now! Soon to be joined by an Awning as well. They were in Barbie heaven!

What is your kids favorite Barbie accessory?

Thursday Thirteen:

 

 

 

This weeks is 13 things I like to do with my kids!  I thought it would be a fun one…

1. Read books

2. Play games

3. Go to the playground

4. Swimming

5. Coloring

6. Make crafts together

7. Take photo’s of them (ok they may not always like this one)

8. Eat dinner together, and listen to their stories about the day!

9. Cuddle

10. Watch them accomplish something they try so hard to learn!

11. Go on vacations, and trips.. Nothing like exploring somewhere new with them!

12. Cook together

13. Hug, Kiss, and LOVE them!

What do you do while waiting for the swings?

Rachel did this and I thought it was so cute, I had to share!!!

Simple Women’s Daybook:

 

 

 

For Today July 13th , 2009

Outside my window.... It’s sunny and hot…maybe a thunderstorm later to make everything wet…

I am thinking.... wow July is almost half over, the time is flying by… I  can’t wait to see my little man!

From my imagination....still working on scrapbook pages for a book I’m making in honor of my Aunt.

I am thankful for.... sleep, when I can manage to get some! :)

From the kitchen.... Thinking baked Macaroni and Cheese

I am wearing..... Shorts, a tee-shirt, and bare feet

I am reading....  a new series called Sisters, Inc.(finally got the last one, so I’m finishing up the series!)

I am hoping..... my headaches go away soon.

I am creating... nothing

I am hearing.... the girls fighting yet again!!! Oh, the joy!

One of my favorite things....when Hunter calls to say goodnight to me…. He is so cute, when telling me about the day!

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Rachel’s dance, Library, relaxing, some swimming, time at the playground and lots of pictures!

A picture I am Sharing.… 

The girls being silly… Where do they come up with these outfits!

 

Book Basket:

 

 

Even though this was the week of the 4th didn’t mean we slowed down on the reading at all!!  Here is our weeks list of books:

• Sylvia Jean Drama Queen by Lisa Campbell Ernst: This book was cute… and showed how being creative can make you someone else at times. The girls thought it was cute.
  
• Here we go round the Mulberry Bush by Iza Trapani: I cute story using the lines from the song. My girls thought it was cute, and enjoyed singing the song…
  
• When the cows come home by David Harrison: Cute book about what cows do when out to pasture and the farmer isn’t looking. My girls thought it was funny… Great for younger kids Ages 2-4ish
  
• The Curious Garden by Peter Brown: An excellent book about what can happen when one takes care of a few flowers in the city. My girls thought this books was really cool, and loved that it showed a happy city in the end. Very cute!
  
• Down by the cool of the pool by Tony Mitton: An interesting book… My girls seem to really love this book. Not sure if its cause it is repetitive and they can help me read it or, just cause. Its about a animal sounds, and how they dance. Not a bad book, just not one I would think would be that popular…
  

So there you have our books from this week… We return on Tuesday to watch a magic show put together by the library program… Then Wednesday we will pick out all new books. I must say… we are slowly running out of books!!! 

Thursday Thirteen:

 

 

After such an emotional week…. I decided to do this weeks on 13 reasons I’m thankful, cause we all have to remind ourselves once and awhile right?

1. I live in a country that allows me to think, feel, and speak freely…

2. I have a supportive family that loves me, even when I don’t think I deserve it. (after all we are our worst critic’s right?)

3. I have 2 beautiful healthy daughters whom brighten my day everyday… even when I feel like they are going to drive me crazy, they go and do something silly to make me laugh!

4. I have a bright, handsome, healthy boy, who is beyond his years sometimes. He may drive his sisters up a wall, and send me to the loony bin, but he makes me smile everyday too!

5. I have a supportive husband who loves me despite my nagging, complaining, and serve mood swings at times! (yes I admitted it)

6. I have close friends that are always their for me at the drop of a hat, when i need to talk, cry, yell, or just say nothing at all. But they always understand me, and support me just the same.

7. I’m healthy (or at least think I am) and can get up every morning without major issues. However, I could stand to lose a few pounds.

8. While I may not be rich in money…. I am able to support my kids and allow them to try new things…

9. I’m a happy go lucky spirit, and despite what gets thrown my way… I can stand up and keep on going. I don’t let the little things knock me down, and I don’t let the big things overcome me.  Life is only what you make of it!

10. I’ve been blessed to meet a lot of new people in my journey of life. That have either life a big footprint on my heart, or taught me something that can never be forgotten. I love to meet people…. and your never to young or old to start!

11. My blog… I started it to keep friends and family up to date on our current lives, but have turned it into something more fun. I love to share my life with those around me. I have met some great people on their, that will forever be a part of me, and a friend, even if we never meet in person.

12. I have a love for photography… and it has shown me a different side of life, and myself. I love to experience the world from behind the lense as well.  It has shown me I have talents buried somewhere deep inside me..

13. Life…. this may seem so obvious but is it really. I have recently lost 3 people in 2 weeks that were a part of my family. They were there one moment and gone the next…. we take that for granted sometimes don’t we? I recently had a chance to say goodbye to one of them, but didn’t cease that opportunity and now I can never get it back. Another one I told that I love them every time we spoke. I am now thankful for that, cause I can no longer do that, but they know I loved them! A gesture no matter how small, can be huge in someone else’s eyes. Don’t pass up the things in front of you, thinking their is always tomorrow…cause their may not be a tomorrow.  Cease the day and live it like it was your last… no regrets, no promises for the future… just today! 

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope that you all have a good list of things that you are thankful for!
Stay tuned next week…. still accepting suggestions of things you would like to see me do a Thursday Thirteen on!!!

Simple Women’s Daybook:

 

 

For Today July 6th , 2009

Outside my window.... It’s sunny and hot… just like July should be!!!

I am thinking.... you need to be thankful for everyday even if it didn’t seem like a great one.

From my imagination....scrapbook pages for a book I’m making in honor of my Aunt.

I am thankful for.... my life, my friends, and my family!

From the kitchen.... Not sure yet…Burgers maybe…???

I am wearing..... Shorts, purple tank top, and bare feet

I am reading....  a new series called Sisters, Inc.(waiting for the last one to get here)

I am hoping..... I smile more this week.

I am creating... peace 

I am hearing.... silence, oh don’t I seem to like the silence lately!

One of my favorite things....listening to Hunter tell me about his day!

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Rachel’s dance, Library, relaxing, some swimming, time at the playground and lots of pictures!

A picture I am Sharing.…
A picture from the 4th!

Our 4th of July:

 

This years 4th of July was a bit different for us…as have many holidays since we moved to Fl. This one was a bit more so, though cause we were lacking a kid. It was unusual to not have Hunter here with us. Andy had to work, so our 4th was not our typical celebration. Not that we have a typical yet… still working on that. Funny how traditions just kinda stick one day. We are still finding ours. However, last years was going to be a tuff act to follow. It was lots of fun, as you can see HERE!

Our nearby town has been building this huge new park, and we have been anxious to check it out. The grand opening was no other than, you guessed it TODAY! Therefore, giving us a huge celebration to attend this year… with games, music, and lots more. Rachel has been awaiting the new Playground, and she sure did check it out, as you can see!

 

We went down in the morning to check out the new park with Daddy, before he had to go to work, and let the girls play on the new playground they have been waiting to see! Checked out the vendors, games, and crafts galore!

Then came home for a break, and to take Andy to work. Had a quick supper, and headed back out to the park for some music and dancing. The big show of the night was the Commodores playing! Do any of you remember them?? I barely did, but knew I had heard of them. It was lots of fun to watch the girls dancing and playing! Then the big finale of the night…. FIREWORKS!  What 4th would be complete without them? This is the only picture, I got cause the girls were scared from the noise… but it was a fabulous show of them!

So all and all we had lots of sun, music, games, and fun! We really missed Hunter though, and can’t wait til next year to start our new 4th of July traditions. What is something your family always does??

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!

Ready to Dance:

Rachel loves to dance around the house…. we tried dance classes once before when we lived in Maine, but the instructor wasn’t suitable for the younger kids in my opinion. So she didn’t finish that year. She has been dying to go back every since. Through a friend we heard about a 5 week summer session at a local dance studio. We figured it was the best way to test the waters again, and see how she would do before signing her up for another year of classes. She started last week, in her Baby Hip Hop / Acrobatics' class. She was very anxious, can’t you tell!

Rainy day fun:

 

Today has been for the most part rainy off and on… So we really haven’t dared to go outside for to long. So I dug out a standby for days just like this. It was a craft I picked up at Target for $1! I always search their dollar spot for some cool crafty items for days just like this one… This one kinda served as a double duty. We did a bit of learning first.

We made a necklace and bracelet out of foam shapes. However, first we sorted them into shapes, and then we learned about patterns, before finally making the craft. The girls had fun with this and we got a bit of learning in on the side.

here is Rach with her necklace, she made using a pattern

Here is sage’s bracelet… she decided to just go with different shapes and colors!

Can’t get any better than that right? What is your favorite Rainy day activity?

Thursday Thirteen:

 

 

Well this is the last week of my Alphabet Thursday thirteen’s. And it will be with the letter “Z”

1. Zoo: I love zoo’s I think they are cool. I love to see animals, and see what they have. Do you know how many zoo’s their are in this country? Its crazy! I hope to visit the Tampa Zoo after Hunter returns from Maine. What is your favorite animal at the zoo?

2. Zebra: I find zebra’s fascinating… because they seem so much like a horse to me, except the color. Their strips are neat though, no one is the same!

3. Zipper: I can’t not tell you how many times I’ve hurt myself with zippers…. Sad I know, but I used to get my finger in them, or my lip, when I had my jackets on as a kid. Crazy aren’t I??

4. Zucchini: I love zucchini…slice it up and boil it, then add butter. Yum! My son actually really likes it too. Another one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is a good zucchini bread with chocolate chips in it! Super Yum! I missed having that this year, need to plant some zucchini I guess!

5. Zig-Zag: Who do you think originally came up with that? It is an interesting pattern… I love zig-zags!!! 

6. Zoe: I always loved this name.. If I had another girl, I was going to name her that. What is your favorite name?

7. Zinnia's: What a nice flower this is… we have some in our backyard that the girls planted. We love flowers, can never really have enough can you? What is your favorite flower?

8. Zip code: Who do you think came up with the list of zip codes? How long must it have taken them? I can’t even imagine how many their are! How many zip codes do you know? I think I can remember like 6 from places I’ve lived or have family that live there. 

9. Zap: Don’t you hate it when you are walking across the floor and then you touch something and get zapped??? It happens to me a lot. Maybe I’m electrifying! LOL!

10. Zendik: Meaning Heroic or Magician. Did you know that??

11.  Zazzy: Most people would like to think of themselves at Zazzy! The question is are they really??  Incase you are not aware, Zazzy means flashy, or stylish!  I know, I can be Zazzy since my favorite sweat suit is lime green! LOL!

12. Zampogna: this is an Italian Bagpipe. Isn’t it fun to learn new words??

13. Zizel: Any guesses on this one?? It means Chipmunks. I thought that was kinda a cute name for them. What do you think???

Well there you have “Z”  can you believe I finished the whole alphabet?
I’m still waiting for ideas from you out there, on what you would like me to do next. If I don’t get any by next Thursday I will be forced to come up with my own, and that might be scary!

Book Basket:

 

 

This week we went to the library a few times… Our library has a summer program going on plus our regular story time. Be sure to check your local library out. My girls also get entered into a drawing every week to win a book with a stuffed animal. What better way to encourage kids to read right???
Here is this weeks books we tackled!

• Cat Jumped in By Tess Weaver:  My girls thought this book was cute telling about the trouble the cat got into. I would recommend it for Ages 2-5
  
• A wild father’s day By Sean Callahan: A bit late for Father’s day, but we decided to read it anyway, and we sure were not disappointed. Its a cute story about fathers day. I would recommend it to any young kids to read with their dad!
  
• Stolen Smile By Thierry Robberecht: Another cute book, about a girl who loses her smile, and why.. and then how she gets it back. Good story to teach how not to let others get you down. Good for ages 4-6
  
• Dora’s Perfect Pumpkin By Kirsten Larsen: This is a step to reading book level one. My girls love Dora, so this was good for them to help me read the story as it has pictures for a few words in the paragraph so they can read along with you. Great for beginner readers like my girls!
  
• Twinkle the Tooth Fairy By Nick Ellsworth: A cute book about a tooth fairy that works hard collecting teeth, and really wants to make it to a Ball. So her friend helps her figure out a faster way of collecting the teeth. My girls thought it was a good book. I would say good for ages 3-5
  
• Eloise In Paris By Kay Thompson’s: Another great book of course. The girls just can’t get enough of Eloise, who is only 6! This one is a bit longer of a read than most her books, but provides a lot of laughs. We really enjoyed it.

Happy Housewife is still moving this week, so i won’t be linked to her again this week. However, she will be back next week. We just wanted to keep ours going, since we love to read so much! We welcome any suggestions…. as we are starting to run out of books from our library!  Happy Reading!

and the winner is:

The moment I have been waiting for all week! I am very excited to have been able to have my 2nd sponsored giveaway… done by the OLIVE KIDS!  They have wonderful products, and I can’t wait to get more stuff from them…

Without further ado… The winner is Comment number 5…

The Eagen's said...

I blogged -- http://soontobe4.blogspot.com/

June 28, 2009 10:23 AM

Thanks again to everyone who entered! I hope to have another giveaway soon. So stay tuned!!

 

New dress up clothes:

 

Can you ever really have enough dress up clothes?? My girls don’t believe so. They have a whole trunk full. When I can find some on clearance, or at thrift stores (yes this is a great way to acquire some new stuff) I tend to pick them up. It provides a few hours of fun for my little munchkins. Even my son has some super hero costumes to join in the fun! Here are their newest ones from Nana….

Sage in her new Fawn Costume from Tinkerbell

 
Rachel in her new Iridescent Costume also from Tinkerbell

For my Aunt:

 

This past week has been a very difficult time for my family. First my one of my cousin’s daughters died at 14 yrs old. Then just two days later I got the news that my Aunt had passed away that afternoon. I was shocked, and wasn’t sure how to react.  So I am writing this to get my thoughts out there.  It has been a week…. life is not the same.

We talked often, and emailed often as well. I think the thing that got me more was, I was replying to an email she had sent me the that morning, when my mom called to tell me the news.
I have had a very hard time with this, because her and I were close. As I stated we talked often. She was always there to listen when I needed a shoulder to lean on, or advice about something. We didn’t always see each other as much as we liked, usually only a couple times a year. I regret that now, but life is life, we all get busy and find other things we “think” are more important.
I can say that I am thankful that we talked often, cause at least there is a peace in my heart knowing that she knew I loved her… and that I know she loved me. I’m sad that my children couldn’t get to know her as well as I did. Or that she wasn’t able to get to know her own granddaughter….. she did get to meet her though.

For those of you who didn’t know my Aunt I’ll tell you a little bit about her. Aunt Doris, know as Auntie Em to me.. (I don’t remember how I gave her that name, but that is what she will always be know as to me) was a very lively person. She loved family the same way I do. We both loved getting together with them every year at Family Reunions, and seeing how people had changed. She loved to search genealogy, and tell me about our past relatives, her and my Uncle did this on their spare time.  Her and my uncle were also taking dancing lessons. I regret to say I never got the chance to see them dance, but I think it is great they did this together. Aunt Doris and Uncle Eugene have been married for 33 yrs. I was blessed to know her, and spend what time I had with her. I’m thankful for that!

I will miss you very much Auntie Em! You were amazing, beautiful, and a great aunt! I will miss our conversations about everything and anything. I will miss your love for my kids.. You were my rock, when I thought I had no other. You were like a second mom to me, and I can’t ever thank you enough for that. I’m at a loss to figure out how things will be the same without you here. There are still times I get online and look for  you at night to talk too. But I carry your spirit in my heart everyday and I know that you will always be there, and in my memories. I will keep you alive with me, and remember you always!  I love you!