Pregnancy Update: 32 Weeks

On the first day of preschool, M wanted to take pictures of me.  They make me laugh.  Really, do I look like this?  I don't think so!  It's not what the mirror reflects!

This pregnancy, like the others, have been healthy and uneventful.  Recently I could no longer control my heartburn with my diet and Tums.  BUT I was able to hold out for so long before taking something stronger!  I'm so thankful!  It is necessary for me to snack or my blood sugar drops.  For the past week or two if I have waited too long I've gotten shaky.  I'm to the point where I am quite uncomfortable and bending down is not easy.  My slow movements are rather amusing at times, even to me.

This past weekend we (meaning my husband and his brother) moved some furniture (giant desk, queen bed, elliptical) out of the spare bedroom, but there is still much to do...and remove...for that room and the baby in general.  We do have diapers for the little one, so we have something prepared!  I also bought a couple of bottles (knowing that I don't like Avent for full-time bottle users having used them twice).  No names have been discussed nor bedding or clothing washed.  No arrangements have been made for M and E...and no family in the area.  I guess we're hoping to be able to use all of our 50 days until baby's arrival!

First Day of Preschool 2011

M has officially begun her final year of preschool.  It was a very big decision for us, but we decided to send her three full days (8:30-3) instead of half days for various reasons.

M was eager and excited for the school year to begin.  The countdown to school helped her to remember how many days until the big day.  I will definitely do that again!

With this being her third year of preschool, she is an old pro at school.  (Her first year of preschool was in a speech and language classroom.  She began that the day after her third birthday to get the intensive speech therapy she needed to help overcome the apraxia!)  She has always loved to learn.  With so much one-on-one therapy (with therapists and me) and being a quick learner, she has soaked up so much information.  Despite her fifth birthday arriving in a few weeks, we are quite content with her remaining in preschool instead of kindergarten.

Dewey the Library Cat, by Vicki Myron (for younger readers)

The idea of a library cat intrigues me.  It does seem that libraries and bookstores make a great place for a cat...or me.  For the cat, I would think it would mean lounging around, quiet voices, plenty of attention from patrons, and having a good book always accessible.  Not a bad life!!   As it turns out, some libraries do have cats, but I don't think any of them measure up to the true story of Dewey Readmore Books, who was the library cat for 19 years in Spencer, Iowa.

Having listened to the original Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, I was interested in reading this adaption of Dewey for the younger readers called Dewey the Library Cat.  Very much like the original book, it tells the touching story of how one cat really did make a difference in many lives in a small town.  Children and adults alike will love the mischief Dewey finds and love he shares.  Though the original was a clean book, it was still not appropriate for children as it not only told the story of Dewey, but also his owner Vicki.  In the original book she speaks of her battle with breast cancer and of being a single mother.  Dewey the Library Cat is more focused on Dewey.

For the youngest of readers, there are also a couple of Dewey picture books.  As I was reading this book, my daughter remembered reading Dewey's Christmas at the Library, one of our favorite Christmas books (linked to review).  She asked to read this book, too.  Though we enjoyed the photographs together, we'll wait a while longer before reading the book.  Dewey does live a full life, but Vicki Myron does share, in a sensitive way, how he gets sick and has to be put to sleep.  That is a bit too sensitive for my almost 5 year old.

I look forward to sharing this with my own children some day.  In the mean time, I do recommend the Dewey books if you enjoy cats and/or  libraries!

Thank you, Little, Brown for providing this book for review purposes!

Organizing on the Web: Pinterest

Yep, I did it.  I created a Pinterest account.  AND I like it!

Pinterest is a great source for visual bookmarks of things you like on the web.  Just like in my bookmarks tab, I created categories (books for kids, crafts, gifts...) and then I get to choose a photo to match the link!  :)  You can look at all your "pins" at once, or you can look at a certain board/category.  Want to see?  You can see all of my pins here under the Live Learn Love name.  If you are interested in seeing my boards, just click.  There you'll see all of the pins in their proper categories to help you get a better idea of what it is about.

I suppose it can be a bit social, too.  Others can follow your pins/boards and you can follow others when you see that you have similar interests.  (I believe that is where it can become addictive and time consuming, but only if you allow it.)

To get your own account you either need an invitation (I'd be happy to extend one if you are interested) or you can just sign up, though there is a so-called "waiting period."  My friend signed up for Pinterest without an invitation, and it didn't take her long to get an account.  I think the invitation part is only to keep it as another social sharing site...it's not really needed...

I've been at it for a couple weeks now.  I am trying to use Pinterest instead of the bookmarks bar/tabs.   I like it significantly better than Evernote or My Delicious, if you are familiar with either of those.  Those I tried...and didn't really continue to use after trying them.

A couple of items I have saved are below...but at Pinterest if you click the picture you go directly to the link.  One click...so easy.  Really, I could remember the Prayer Pail without a bookmark or pin, but this was an easy, VISUAL for me to find when it comes time for us to try it and then share it on the blog with a link back to its original source...because that's the right thing to do.  You do the same, right?



OH.  Pinterest is for anyone...not just bloggers!  I think it's great for keeping track of gifts, books to read, recipes, organizational ideas, and crafts.  If you are a visual person, you should definitely try it!

Read Alouds: Earthquakes, Crickets, and Trains

On Tuesday here in southeastern Pennsylvania we felt the earthquake originating in Virginia quite well.  (I have to say that on the second floor of my home I noticed the results of the earthquake shaking lamps and Matchbox cars more than I felt the quaking.)

Well, it just so happens that about three weeks ago the children and I were at the local thrift store for books.  Both of the children loved the volcano book we found, so of course, we bought it...for twenty-five cents!  What timing!

 I Can Read about Earthquakes and Volcanoes (new for just $2) is a rather lengthy picture book, full of information about volcanoes and earthquakes.  My guess is that the content is most appropriate for ages 5-9+/-.  An older child may want more details, but there is still much included in this book, and some of it may need to be explained to a 5 or 6 year old child.  The illustrations are good, but I wish a couple of photographs would have been included.

I am so happy to also share that my daughter and I FINALLY completed Cricket in Times Square!  It took over a month, though we were gone for a full two weeks, plus our long weekend in New York City.  (We only read it at bedtime, and my husband doesn't take a turn with the chapter books.)

A country cricket named Chester accidentally finds his way to Times Square in a picnic basket.  A boy named Mario finds him and makes him a pet, but keeps him at the family's newspaper stand in the Times Square subway.  Chester and Mario are quick friends and Chester also befriends a cat and rat!  Chester's musical abilities become famous, and his fame comes at a price...

When we completed this book, my almost 5 year old daughter asked to read it again!  However, we are aiming for a slightly shorter chapter book next!  M chose My Father's Dragon (linked to the trilogy, though some think the first is the best).  We will read Chester Cricket's Pigeon Ride, since that is also part of our collection, at a later time.  (Interestingly, Chester Cricket's Pigeon Ride is about half the length of Cricket in Times Square and, according to Amazon, geared for younger readers, though the second in the series...I think.)

One last very popular book around here is new to us.  It's called Railroad Rhymes and features Thomas and all of his friends from Sodor!  Our version is a board book, and the kids love looking through the book and finding which poem they want to read!  I didn't know that there were so many Thomas and Friends characters!  A definite recommendation from our kids for any Thomas fan.

Check out what others are reading to their kids over at Hope is the Word for Read Aloud Thursday!

Countdown to School

I was inspired to create a Countdown to School to help M understand just how many days are left before preschool begins and to reinforce that school is something to look forward to.  She loves it!

To make our countdown, I wrote a title using markers.  Then I used a heart-shaped cookie cutter on my new ink pad.  (Unfortunately, the almost new ink pad was a bit dry, so I had to go over the shapes with a pen.)

Each day M colors a heart.  This summer I have been VERY pleased with her coloring progress.  The blue heart was colored unsupervised...and that may be why it is not as neatly colored as the others.  She was excited to tell me that she wanted to color the hearts yellow-pink-blue-yellow-pink-blue-yellow-pink-blue.  I love that she "gets" patterns now!

To see the much more beautiful Countdown to School (free) printable that inspired me, click the link!  I wasn't able to print it, but suspect it was just a problem for me.

What's on My Nightstand?

I don't think I've participated in What's on My Nightstand before, though I have intended to for probably a couple of years!   I love the idea of actually setting reading goals, though I am sure I won't be finishing all that I hope to complete.  It's also a great way to know what others are up to for the month.  (Click link above to read other links!)

During August I had big hopes of reading A LOT while my husband was away for two weeks.  Instead, I found other productive, and sometimes relaxing things to do.  Other than audio books, I have yet to complete a full adult book!  (I have read several children's short chapter books.)

Much of my reading for the year of 2011 has been the Bible.  This has been my first time reading through the Bible (though I did attempt one other time...and didn't get far).  I appreciate the BIG PICTURE that reading so much in a short time offers, and highly recommend reading through the Bible in a year (or so) if you want a better understanding of how it all comes together, especially the old Testament.  I am pleased to say that I have been able to keep up (for the most part) the reading assignments to read through the Bible in a year.  We are using the Daily Walk magazine.  I appreciate that most weeks it only has six reading assignments.  I find that I often need that buffer day to catch up on my Bible reading.  During the month of September, we'll be reading through the Minor Prophets of the Old Testament.

Before September actually arrives, I hope to complete a couple of books I've been enjoying.  Both books have been incredible, and will be reviewed soon.  God's Priorities for Today's Woman is an excellent book by Lisa Hughes.  It uses Titus 2:3-5 to help women to understand God's hopes for a woman's character, her relationships, and her home.  It is so good that I am absolutely excited to be reading it all over again this fall with my Bible study group!

It's highly unusual for me to read to nonfiction books at  one time, but I was excited about both books.  I have also been reading Uncompromising, by Hannah Farver.  Though I have just begun it, I am shocked at this college-age author.  Her wisdom is right-on, and her heart is truly turned to God...and not for all that He does for her, but for her it's about living a life honoring to Him...and the Cause.  It is another book about living life with a purpose, not set rules.

Then I will move on to 5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Son.  Written by Vicki Courtney, this book is supposed to be a guide for parents.  It is to prepare parents for five discussions to have with their boys, and includes different stages.  My son is almost three...and it's time to begin planting these seeds of wisdom!

Apparently, I am rather child-focused right now.  Maybe a third child arriving in October has something to do with this along with a strong-willed daughter and a son who follows his sister's lead?  Hmm.   Another book I may read this month is "Don't Make Me Count to Three" by Ginger Plowman.  I won't be getting to it this month, but Have a New Kid by Friday was recently added to my bookshelf.  I'm curious about that one, too.

For fun, I hope to get into more Maud Hart Lovelace as I prepare for the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge.  Her writing is sweet, yet fulfilling.  (My favorite MHL book is Emily of Deep Valley.  Linked to my review.)  In September or October I will be reading Betsy and the Great World and Betsy's Wedding.  I cannot wait to wrap up this book series; at the same time, I dread it.  Other copies of MHL's work are not easy to find.  I really want to read some of her other works, too...someday.

Highlights of Week Away

My husband was gone for a full two weeks on business...very unusual for us.  I took the kids to northeastern PA to visit our families.  I thought I'd share a few highlights, though I shared tons more on the family blog.  Really the highlight was seeing so many family members, but you may not care about that, so...

We enjoyed the...

Beauty

 Family

 Mud

 Cleaning calves

 Birds by the dinner table

 Scavenger hunts (We had two!!)

 
 Parrots at church

As I said, really, the people were the big highlight.  In addition to the photos shown here (mostly from Grandma and Grandpa's farm), we went to the local playground, Discovery Center, and really, just spent lots of time outside playing when we weren't visiting grandmas, grandpas, aunts, an uncle, and cousins.  I even got to catch up with a couple of high school friends!

I didn't quite get the reading done I had hoped, but was able to accomplish plenty of other stuff.

Back to "regular" blogging now!  

Welcome, Fall?

Oh my.  August is about halfway over.  By the end of this month my daughter will be back in preschool.  I can't believe it.

We've had a good summer, though busier than any other in my life with traveling.  We visited family several hours away twice (weekend and week).  In addition we spent a short week at family camp and a long weekend in NYC (also visiting family).  We did a couple day trips like to the beach and Dutch Wonderland, an amusement park.  With July's heat wave, I avoided being outside as much as possible.  Being pregnant is a good excuse, but really, I never like the heat and humidity.

(Oh, how I wish we had leaves like this to enjoy in our backyard.
At least we don't need to rake our leaves yet.)

I am really looking forward to my daughter, M, returning to school.  She is really excited, too. However, I am a homebody.  I have really enjoyed my lazy days of summer when I have not needed to go anywhere other than the mailbox or the swing set!  I am a homebody.  I do not relish the idea of being out the door by 8:20 AM three mornings a week.  Nor do I look forward to figuring out when E, our 2 year old, is going to nap when I need to pick his sister up at 3 o'clock.

(OH, can I bring up how I dread having a newborn and (by then) a 3 year old to take into M's school for drop off and pick up purposes come sometime in October or November?)

Despite all of this, we have much to be thankful for when it comes to fall.  First, lovely temperatures and less humidity.  (Also, since I am a stay-at-home-mom, I will not be returning to school myself, as a teacher!)  Next will come M's fifth birthday and E's third birthday.  Possibly before, between, after (or even on) their birthdays we'll be thanking God for new life.  The baby is due right between M and E's birthdays...on October 20th.  The kids were born two years, one week apart.  E, was actually due on M's birthday, but both of them were one full week late.  We'll be shocked if this baby arrives early, though anything can happen, right?  Any guesses?

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens...

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

And now I think I will be taking a little blogging break (not that I have been blogging a ton).  I want to catch up on some books, sew some little birthday gifts, and enjoy these final days of summer.  To do that, I really need to get off the computer!  I'll be back soon! 

♥ Annette

What to Do with My Books?

If you read here frequently, you know that I review a handful of books.  The problem is that I don't want to keep all of the fiction books that I review due to space purposes and not needing to hoard them (but some I love and will definitely keep).  (I rarely buy fiction for myself, unless I know it's something I will read a few times.  Children's books are another category all together, and I may be slightly obsessed with buying children's books.)

My bookshelves are fairly full (though not reflected in this tidy  photograph from when I first filled the bookcase), and I need to share my books with others.  I happily loan and sometimes give away books, but when loaned they return to me and need a home.  I donate to my library, but sometimes I am a bit late and they already have a copy.  In the past I have had some as giveaways here on the blog, but typically the cost is near $3 per book.  Amazon does help me earn a tiny bit of money, but I can't spend a lot of money regularly on giveaways, though I love to share with my readers.  (Let's just say in the past few months I've made about $2 total, though I made enough around Christmas to purchase a couple of books.  Thank you for those of you who click through our links here for purchases.)    

I've heard good things about paperbackswap.com.  There is also swap.com as another resource for trading books.  What is your experience?

What would you suggest I do with my books that I don't want to keep on my bookshelves?  Maybe you have some new ideas for me.  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Avoiding Library Fines

For years I did not mind the occasional library fine for late library books.  It can really add up when you borrow twenty or more books at a time though.  I considered it a donation to a good cause, because, you know, libraries are awesome and can use lots of funds!

The problem, now, is that I cross a state line to utilize a different library system and pay a yearly membership.  (I do this because I love audio books.  My local branch charges a rental fee for audio books, though I could go elsewhere in the county and pick them for free since it is the branch's choice.  By crossing the state line, my drive is still less than fifteen minutes, unlike other branches in my county, and I can have all the audio books that I want.)  Paying $35, plus fines is just not something I care to do.

To avoid library fines, I use the online catalog system to place books on hold, check my status, and renew.  When I think of it, I also place a note on my calendar.  Unfortunately, my library does not send out any email notices, not even once the books are late.

A friend introduced me to Elf, a free program to help library patrons manage their loans and holds.  She really likes it, as it sends her email notices before books are due (and after, if they are late).  Elf is available internationally, but not in all areas.  Unfortunately, I cannot share my own testimony of Elf's system because the county where I borrow my books, but maybe it can help you save some money and keep track of your holdings!

Today I have a guest post over at Shonda's blog Milk N Honey Learn and Grow.

Check it out our family name game by clicking the link!  Then be sure to visit the rest of the blog, too, because it's lots of fun for kids!  Shonda's great!

Beach Fun

As part of our summer plans, we took the children to the beach.  Though M had been when she was nearly a year old, we had not been there since then.  M has asked to go many times, and was thrilled to be able to finally go.

We were pretty certain M would love the water.  She did.  We didn't know how E would respond.  To make sure he had a good time, we took a bulldozer toy along since he'd have a giant sandbox to use.  He enjoyed the water, but loved the sand even more.

Before we went, I printed some nice printables from Nick Jr.  (I shared about a file folder game for word families before based on their printables.  These printables are not linked with any characters if that is something you try to avoid.)  This time we printed a Wonder Pets Seashell Activity Pack.  They were all fun, but the pattern was the favorite!  It's definitely worth checking out before a beach trip.

The Atlantic Ocean is only two hours away, but we just aren't beach people.  I'm not a big sand fan...and I can barely swim.  My husband actually loves big waves, but it's still not a priority for him.  If you noticed the lack of waves in the photo, that is because we chose a location in Delaware without waves.  With all the New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware beaches within a short driving distance, we always choose Delaware, though I'm not sure why.

Container Strawberries: Part 2

A while back I shared how we used a hanging strawberry planter to plant strawberries.  Unfortunately, we have no porch or any strong piece of wood (other than swing set...which won't work with playing) to hang up the strawberries.  We bought a shepherd's hook, but the container was much too heavy for it.  

So we keep them in full sunlight in front of our garage...the planter sits on the pavement.  

Like some LLL readers, we were curious if this would work.

A few strawberry flowers blossomed.  When they did I tried to remove them.  (It helps more strawberries to be produced the following year, if I understand correctly.)

 Of course, the children were thrilled when one lone strawberry made it.

Our son took a bite of the little berry...right from the plant.  He shared the remainder with his sister.

Was this strawberry project a success?  I suspect we won't know until next summer.  I do know that the container's red color has faded to a white/gray.  It's not exactly pretty.  More importantly, the plants have not all lived (but that is not surprise), and the live plants have produced very few strawberry flowers.  We'll have to wait and see what happens, I suppose.  

Where Did They Go?

In early July I went to a used book sale.  The cost was just $5 a bag.  I had two overflowing bags.  The loot is mostly (not all since some books I had already separated to share with others) pictured in the photo below.  I think I had at least 75 picture and chapter books...maybe 100.

Where did my books go?  I can't find them!  That's not true.  I know where a few of the titles are.  Before I "put them away" I had set aside a few of the books in our "read sometime soon pile" (for the kids or me) on the bookcase.  Maybe about 15 titles.  These were the Narnia (linked to post about them), Maud Hart Lovelace, Laura Ingalls Wilder-related, and a couple of others like Diggers and Dumptrucks. I found the holiday (Christmas and Thanksgiving) books in the basement.   Well, what happened to the others?  I just can't find them!!  My house is not so big that this should be a problem.  I suspect they are in the basement, but not where they "should" be.  It's rather frustrating.  (Last week I did go to the Goodwill where I get books for 3/$1 and bought about 20 books, but that doesn't really replace the others...I would have gone anyway.)

Click the picture above to see it in a larger format so you can read the titles.

Kids in the Kitchen: Homemade Microwave Popcorn

We learned several months ago that our microwave no longer likes microwave popcorn (no matter the brand).  We don't have an air popper, and I was discouraged from attempting to make it on the stove top.  With all that said (and no plans of purchasing a new microwave), I was thrilled when Confessions of a Homeschooler posted directions for making popcorn (and not in a brown paper bag, either, which we don't buy, though I've heard good things about it).

To make popcorn, you'll need a glass bowl with a lid.  (I used a loose fitting lid.).

Mix 3 tablespoons of oil and 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (according to the original instructions.  However, due to unpopped kernels, I intend to do a half batch next time.)

Cover.  Don't use plastic wrap.  Seriously.

Microwave on high power for 2 1/2-3 minutes.  Stop when pops are about 5 seconds apart.  

Flavor and enjoy!

 Below is what happens if you mix plastic wrap, oil, and heat.  NOT EDIBLE!

Check out our other non-stovetop Kids in the Kitchen fun, too!