Narnia, Anyone?

So are any of my friends fans of Narnia?  I certainly am!  I was an adult, teaching third grade, the first time I read any of the Narnia books.  Shortly after, Derek, my then fiance, bought me the Chronicles of Narnia which is one volume of all seven books.

Much like I would want to watch the Star Wars movies in the order that they were made, as to not ruin the surprise of learning who Luke Skywalker's father is, I prefer to read C.S. Lewis's Narnia books in the order they were written, or at least beginning with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe instead of The Magician's Nephew, which is first chronologically.  Now, I should also tell you that The Magician's Nephew gives lots of history to Narnia, and is an excellent book to read.

The movie, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, is coming out in December.  I really hope to see this one in the theaters this year.  We missed Prince Caspian for lack of a babysitter, but own it on DVD (of course).  With the anticipation of the movie coming out, my friend Carrie at Reading to Know is challenging us to read, watch...experience Narnia!  This month I plan to read (or at least listen to) Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

How about you?  If you are interested in joining up check out the Nania reading challenge at Reading to Know!   It started July 1st and goes till the end of the month!  I better get reading!

Answers...and a Birthday

Well, it's my birthday today!  As a child I always enjoyed having a birthday so close to the Independence Day weekend.  Also, I have a really cool birth date.  7-6-76.  You can do the math.  :)


Late last week, I wondered if there were any questions readers might have for me.  There were a few...


Ticia said-Hmmmm....... what to ask you......... Favorite book or type of book to read?
I love to read, as you know!  My all-time favorite book is probably To Kill a Mockingbird.  In high school (for me that means 7th-12th grades) my homeroom was in an English teacher's classroom.  Mrs. Batch had lots of copies of it, and I'm pretty sure that every year I read it to pass time when my homework was complete.  After college I was in a bookstore, and saw a copy.  Immediately, I missed my annual reading, and bought the copy.  I've only read it a few times since then, but I always enjoy it.  


My favorite type of book to read is either clean suspense or children's books (chapter books).  I can't get enough of either, and if anyone has recommendations, I love to read new authors!


Favorite movie? And July is a WONDERFUL month to be born in.  I agree!
My favorite movie is likely Return to Me.  Another favorite is While You Were Sleeping.  Yes, they are both romantic comedies.  There's nothing wrong with older movies, but it wouldn't hurt me to see some newer movies, too, so if you have some recommendations, please tell!  I also like suspense (not horror) movies quite a bit.  (And yes, I do like the movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird with Gregory Peck.


Carrie said-Oh! I LOVE birthdays. =D 
Let's see...

If you haven't shared this information already around these parts - when did you become a Christian?
I didn't grow up in a Christian home, but in high school I went to youth group with a friend.  I saved my money (from babysitting) and sent myself to the Christian camp that some teens from the youth group were going to attend.  I became a Christian there, but it was probably my last year of college and the summer after college that I really started growing in my faith and letting God be the Lord of my life, though I am still learning so much!

And what is your absolute, hands-down favorite aspect of parenting?
I love the giggles and especially when my two children are making each other giggle or when my husband makes them laugh hysterically.  After seeing my children at such tender ages in the ICU (separate issues), I know that every day is a blessing, but I love the laughs that happen when we have fun together!  The quieter cuddling moments are awfully special, too!

And why do you like Monk? ;) 
Carrie is referring to the television show, Monk.  We, unashamedly, own every season of it on DVD.  


For those of you who don't know, Monk is a tv show that aired on USA for eight seasons.  Adrian Monk is a former San Fransisco police detective.  After his wife died, his obsessive compulsive behavior stopped him from doing his job, so he is now a consultant with the police force.  


Monk is fun and quirky.  Some might find it annoying, but we are totally amused by all of his OCD behaviors.  Every episode is a mystery with some comic relief thrown in.  Tony Shalhoub plays the part perfectly.  Probably the biggest reason I like it is because I can appreciate his OCD tendencies (though I am not a perfectionist) while laughing at them.  (Remember him from Wings?  We enjoy that show too!)  So it's the combination of suspense, quirkiness, comedy, and it's a show that Derek and I watch together.  And for a detective show, it leaves the blood and gore to the other shows.


If you have never watched Monk you can watch full episodes here for free.  Amazon is offering most seasons at a good price, too, if you are interested.  (I do not recommend the books though.  I started one on audio, and had to force myself to finish it.) 

♥♥♥♥

So there you have it!  A bit more about me!  

Free Regal Cinema Movies

Each summer Regal Cinemas offers free G and PG movies to families on Tuesday and Wednesdays at 10 am.  Seating is first come, first served, and I hear our "local" theater fills quickly.  

Check out locations and movies at the Free Family Film Festival!  

I don't know if this is the case at all locations, but at our location, it is acceptable to bring in your own food and drink, making this truly a free outing! 

This was the summer I intended to try this out, but with M in summer session of preschool, it would be tough, though I'd love for her to see the Pippi Longstocking movie!

Don't forget to leave a question on the "Ask Me," post, if you like.

Let's Have a Daddy Day

Karen Kingsbury is very well known for her Christian fiction. However, did you know she is also a the author of children's books? I have heard Karen speak twice, and once she read Let Me Hold You Longer, and the other time she read Princess and the Three Knights. Her message was for women, and let me tell you, those books held messages themselves...and the first title made me cry! I had the chance to review Karen's latest children's book, Let's Have a Daddy Day. It is a well-illustrated, rhyming picture book that talks about lots of different things that daddies might do with their children to make a "Daddy Day" special. Some activities that might be fun are building a fort, catching tadpoles and frogs, playing army rangers or baseball, and good old fashioned wrestling. What I like: What's not to like about a book that encourages special time for parents and children? I really enjoyed this book, and I think children would, too. One thing that I think is important to note is that this book doesn't say go do all these activities to have a Daddy Day, but uses terms like "If that fun doesn't work out, let's do this." The book ends perfectly and says, "So when you're all grown up and you look back upon this day, you'll know how much I loved you 'cause we took the time to play." That's the bottom line, you know? Quality time together. What I dislike: Nothing. This was really a nice book. Though it is published by a Christian publisher, there is no biblical references. Thank you, Zondervan for providing a copy of this book for review.

Dark Pursuit (Book Review)

WOW!  Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins was a fabulous book.  Though it's been several years since I've read one of Brandilyn's books, but the suspense is always good!

Dark Pursuit brings world famous King of Suspense Darell Brooke's granddaughter back into his life.  Darell's estranged granddaughter, Kaitlan, finds a body in her apartment, and she knows it's her boyfriend who killed the woman-and he is a policeman.  Kaitlan turns to her grandfather in hopes that he will not turn her away AND offer her the help she needs to prove her boyfriend is guilty.  The problem is Darell was in an accident that left his mind and body slow and hasn't written a book in years.  Kaitlan doesn't know if Darell is capable of creating a cunning plan to help her or what his motivation would be.  This was an excellent book with a fabulous ending.

What I liked: Everything!  I definitely recommend reading this if you like suspense!
What I disliked: Nothing!

Thank you Zondervan for providing me a copy to review.

American Flag Preschool Craft

Have a wonderful Independence Day!  We have company coming in for the weekend, so we're looking forward to that visit.  In the meantime, we made a traditional (with about half the stars) American flag craft (and attempted a red, white, and blue mat...turned purple) to go with the book Stars and Stripes by Salina Yoon.  We just love this book for our children!  Enjoy making your own flag with your preschooler for the Fourth of July!

Gather Your Materials:

Flag

    7 strips of red paper (make sure when positioned on the paper, white stripes from the background will show)

     blue rectangle, cut to size

     foil star stickers (or white paint could be used to make thumb prints as a substitute)

     glue

     white paper, cut 1-2 inches smaller than

Background

     red paint

     blue paint

     paint brush

     white paper

Additional stickers optional

Background Mat:

If you want a colorful background mat, put dots of paint around the outside of your piece of paper.  Try alternating the red and blue.  Four dots of each color covered our paper!  If you have an older child, try to suggest not mixing the colors to make purple, but letting the red and blue stand boldly on the white background.  Set aside to dry.

Flag:

Begin by looking at a flag, or the flags in Stars and Stripes.  Begin at the bottom, and prepare a red strip with glue.  Continue adding stripes until about halfway up the flag.  Then I would suggest going to the top and add stripes from the top going down the flag.

When the stripes have been completed, add up to fifty foil star stickers to the blue rectangle.  (We used less than twenty-five stars.)  Glue blue rectangle in the upper left corner of the flag!

Once the mat has dried, use decorative stickers (or glue) to attach flag on the mat.  Hang in a prominent place and watch your child beam with pride!  Then go for a walk or drive and see how many American flags you can spot!

Winner!

The winner of the Uppercase Living giveaway was Amanda, comment #1! Congratulations!