Book Sales

There is nothing I love more than driving by a store and seeing an upcoming sale. I love to watch even thrift store signs... "next Friday we'll be offering 25% off all merchandise". IT IS FOR THE BOOKS!!!

I adore seeing the signs on our local library about upcoming sales! Because there is nothing I love more than to stock up on as many books as I can get my hands on to expand the minds of my children. I would be in heaven if I had a continual flow of books for them to read. I love reading out loud to them, articulating my voice for the characters, but more so when their daddy reads to them. My husband and his boys have a personal thing involving the book, "Where the Sidewalk Ends".

Friends of the Library Book Store

440 Elkhorn Blvd., Ste 7, Rio Linda

Friday-Saturday, 1-6pm

http://www.facebook.com/TheFriendsOfTheLibraryStore

I wish the library had added more opportunities over time to have more book sales. I've found over the years they've gone from every other month to every three months. Than you have to compete for books you'd like to read and for pleasure with those scanning to find books they can re-sale. I've this past year started to attend even less book sales just due to the fact it isn't worth being stepped on as they try and get to books faster than you can move out of their way. The last book sale I attended a woman holding a smart phone scanning books above my head literally stepped me on.

On a positive note... we keep our bookshelves stocked! I have found picking books up sporadically at places like Costco helps. And I love how Costco seems to be geared towards education like we are. If I can keep my children ahead of the curve, it is worth spending a few extra dollars.

June Showers?

 

Well, April was a dry month... "April Showers Bring May Flowers" wasn't told to Mother Nature! Here it is now the end of June and we finally have rain. Just enough it can't be seen as a sprinkle but not enough to be a real soaking rain. We're thankful nevertheless.

 

We teach our children to "dance in the rain". I even set up scrapbooking sets to prepare for "April Showers" only to be disappointed. April's rainfall was like going to the zoo to find all the animals are hiding in their enclosures. Let down!

 

I am grateful there is some rainfall now much like nature should be. Now the animals, plants, and lack of moisture might have a soft touch to a harsh summer ahead. I look forward to many trips to the spraygrounds and slurpee after!!!

 

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SUMMER IDEAS

 

Google Camp (online)

https://plus.google.com

 

Home Depot Kid Workshop

http://workshops.homedepot.com

 

Sac Kids

http://www.sackids.org

The month of June is a cultural experience with Egypt

Humor... take time to laugh

Missing Tooth

I know this is late... by a few days. But, my youngest (my "Itty Bitty") lost a tooth. We did the traditional, tooth fairy. We're still trying to get used to the gap, and we laugh when he talks. These are the fleeting moments in time that will be remembered for year to come (as we look back at pictures).

I was talking to a woman today at the chicken park, she was there with her twin grandsons (2 year olds). She's been through all the stages with her own children and grandchildren. I teased how I can't wait for the days I am like her (grandmother with an active role) but hopefully not too soon. Her oldest grandchild is in their mid 20s. I just hope in my thinking ahead towards our futures I don't run past "living in the moment".

My "baby" getting older reminds me just how fast time goes by...

Chicken Park

 

In Fair Oaks there is a park where you can feed the chickens. We've been bringing the boys there since they were in diapers. A better description would be it is infested with chickens and roosters. They can be found walking around old town, in the park, and in most yards (of the houses). I keep chicken feed on hand, which isn't unusual because I keep peanuts in my vehicle for wild squirrels as well (Capitol Park, downtown). Chicken feed can be bought locally but I save by getting it at a feed store.

 

 

I adore this park, not for the chickens (they are an added bonus), but because the people it attracts. They are usually polite, talkative, and of a good quality. Plus, it adds to the memories of my children. It is kind of nice to be able to take a break from our redundant lives to something "out of the norm".



Happy Father's Day 2013

My boys couldn't wait this morning to give their father the "daddy's day" things they made before school let out. They were creative and innovative as usual. My husband enjoyed all the love and attention they poured over him. From simple writings of "you're an awesome dad" to pictures drawn. Our seven-year-old's teacher used their class pictures in the Father's Day project.

Once things started to settle down my boys reminded me about making cupcakes. Usually I try and make them look as cute as possible. This time I did the cooking portion, they made their own decorations, and it was truly "home made". They delighted in writing on printer paper... cutting them out... and taping them to toothpicks to add to the top of their cupcakes.

Both boys than went on to draw "Robot & Monster" puppets on printer paper. They spent a good portion of the day practicing and doing story lines. They wanted to do something extra special for their "daddy". And I have to admit that he is an amazing father to his children!

 

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Even though a father might not carry a child for nine months or give birth they have pivotal roles in a child's life! Men are the ones that teach their daughters to have enough respect for themselves to raise the bar in the dating world. They teach their sons how to treat women, have goals and thrive, and be respectful (how to properly behave). Fathers teach their children by how they treat their mother, what behaviors they allow, and many more aspects than they are given credit for. I for one am absolutely grateful that my husband plays an active role in our children's daily lives. I could never imagine a day without him! I appreciate my husband's sacrifices for his boys. Today means more to me than Mother's Day (I am not so selfish to think I do it all myself or don't need him, they are his children too).

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Free Classes/Functions for little ones

 

Lakeshore Learning

1850 Douglas Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95661

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com 

 

Sunrise Mall

Kids Adventure Club

Thursday Mornings at 10am

6041 Sunrise Mall

Citrus Heights, CA 95610

 

Arden Fair Kids Club

1689 Arden Way

Sacramento, CA 95815 

~*Family*~

There is nothing like family to keep you feeling connected to the world; they truly are the roots that teach us to remain grounded. These days we're enjoying our bonding moments (family time, scheduled in). The six year old is addicted to board games, which is indicative to his competitive personality. The seven year old, as much as he fights against taking swim lessons, has been pushing for more time in the pool. We're just thankful they still want to do things with us (we don't have cooties yet).

 

Summer vacation is off to an amazing start... Thank God!!!

Movie - The Croods

 

 

The other day we took time from our lives to stop and enjoy a movie. We ended up a little bit late, but caught the next viewing. Which ended up being a blessing of sorts. Even though I wanted to stay home and let the "boys" have daddy time I ran into a couple people.

The first person we ran into was a teacher that retired this year. We're hoping with all our hearts he has an enjoyable time and he and his wife create amazing memories. I was thankful I was able to get a picture of him and the kids because I missed that the last day of school. I teased the kids that they better be good because he is a lot like Santa and they never know when he'll see them. All in good fun...

On the way out of the store we ran into a woman I did volunteering with. I thought with her circumstances changing she'd be leaving. It warms my heart that I'll continue to see her. It has been kind of nice to build interactions with others and know I'll continue to see them.

Had I stayed home I would have missed both encounters... I am grateful I was forced to stop cleaning house and spend time with my kids as well.

 

 

 

It didn't take too long before we'd returned to the mall. The boys had already settled on watching "The Croods", and bought our tickets while late (previous to the store).

 

 

 

I think this is one that when it comes out on DVD it is well worth buying! We laughed, we cried, and it has a good underlining lesson worth repeating! It was worth going...

 



Water Bottle

Our seven-year-old's classmate came to school with something new... water bottle that mists you ("Mist and Sip Bottle"). Our son had his heart on having exactly what his friend had. First I went to WalMart thinking those spray bottles that mist you. He explained to me that isn't what he was looking for. It is apparently a water bottle you can drink from but mists up like a volcano (and doesn't need batteries). I was confused...

I have never seen anything like it in my life!

It took going to five different stores before I finally found what he was talking about. First we went to Walmart, than Sports Authority, Target, Toys R Us, and finally Big 5 Sporting Goods. Each place was more than accommodating and tried to help us. I almost thought to go back, just in case others are like us (and they have many in the boys' school that shop in the same area), so they can be informed to tell others. I just didn't feel like driving back around to do an act of kindness.

I was excited for him that he was able to find exactly what he was looking for but started to wonder if it was the right thing to do. First of all it cost more in gas driving from place to place, he doesn't learn to wait for what he wants, and other aspects. I was talking with my husband and neither of us can remember a time in our childhoods where our parents did anything remotely like we do for our children. If my mom was going to the store that you wanted something you had to hope she remembered to get what you asked for. Unless it was a "needed" item she wasn't much of a shopper.

Water Bottle

http://www.o2-cool.com/mistnsip_overview.php

"Mist and Sip Bottle"

Big 5 Sporting Goods

http://www.big5sportinggoods.com