BOOK REVIEW: PRINCESS ACADEMY

Title: Princess Academy
Author: Shannon Hale
Number of Pages: 314
Number of Stars: 2.5

This book was a New York Times Bestseller and a Newberry Honor book.  I think possibly our standards need to be raised.  I realize that this is a juvenile book, but it is ridiculously immature.  Hale's other book "The Goose Girl" was much better. 

Things I liked about this book...ummm, thinking, thinking, thinking...it's wholesome.  No bad language or immorality. 

What I didn't like about this book...I HATED the picture on the cover.  That girl is not at all how I wanted to picture the main character.  So her just staring at me all of the time was annoying.  This book was so predictable.  Too much so.  There wasn't even a faint glimmer of hope for a different ending.  A large portion of this book was spent on "quarry speech".  It really didn't make any sense, and I wish the author could have found a way to remove it from the story altogether, it was pretty lame.  If you are between the ages of 8 and 12 and you are a girl, you will disagree 100% with my review and you should read it.  If you are a mom, please, please go read something else!

The Sneezles

This morning Isabelle woke up with a 

small rash of some sort.

By dinner time tonight it had 

exploded ALL over her body.

 

My poor baby...

She has diagnosed herself with the Sneezles.

This is not a disease to be trifled with, 

I think. 

I told her it was probably the Cutie Pox,

but she just looked at me and dryly said

"Mom, that's not even a real disease.  I am sure it is the Sneezles!"

After some antihistamine and cream junk she went to bed to sleep it off.

Hopefully that is the cure for the Sneezles.

If it isn't then we will be paying a visit to the pediatrician tomorrow! 

Stuck On My Phone

I am not the most technologically advanced 

person on the planet.

I know, I know you're shocked.

But I did just figure out how to get the pictures off of my phone that I have owned for over a year.

It actually wasn't that hard, but I had never tried.

So here are the people I have been carrying around in my phone for too long.

I know - where did this adorable girl come from?

These two aren't bad either.

This is Liam with the little dog (Bolt)

that we had for a short, short time.

Peek A Boo - I see you!

These two are a pair...mostly of laughs.

This one scares me just a bit.

That look in her eyes - could be good, or it could be bad.

This one scares me a lot.

Who gave him chocolate anyways?

This picture courtesy of Isabelle.

 

Oh me oh my, oh me oh my!

 

I had about 100 pictures Isabelle had taken, 

sadly none of them were usable.

Unless you wanted to see blurry pictures of feet!

Now I will clear out the pictures in my phone.

Perhaps in another year I will have a few more!

At The Cabin

My Aunt Dot has a cabin in Fruitland that she 

lets us borrow from time to time.

We love it! It's a cabin with no running water, not really any electricity, and NO bathroom. 

There is a loverly outhouse down a little path.

I am not really a "princess" type girl, but outhouses are not on my list of favorite things.

Here is why we go to the cabin...

 

This is the view off of the deck.

 

Another view from the deck, and no people for miles.

 

Yet another view from the deck.  

You can sit there and spot little birds and creatures,

sometimes even deer if you are lucky! Although we are most likely much too loud to attract any deer.

I have many childhood memories of the cabin. Mostly good, like catching lizards, hiking, finding treasures (aka - pine cones, flowers, rocks).  Some bad, like breaking my rib when my brother pushed my off the deck, sitting in a fire ant pile and being terrified of getting attacked by bears.

The kids were on the tire swing in the 

loft almost constantly. Which means I should have taken more pictures, but alas I didn't.

I was on vacation too.

 

My husband does smile - I promise!

 

Thanks to the swing I got William to sleep on the 

second night there.

It's nice that you can just fall asleep anywhere and anytime.

But no one can guarantee your safety from pranks.

 

We could only get 2 creepy dolls on 

Doo-Il before he woke up,

which was a little disappointing, because 

we had a whole box full of creepy dolls!

How cool is my little man? 

We shall call him 002.

 

Don't mess with my tippee cup!

I've got my eye on you!!!

 

Foosball was also a big hit.

 

I just have to add that I came away the champion.

Not to make Soungsik feel worse, 

but I do love to rub salt in wounds.

I creamed him.  4 times in a row - 4 times!!!

The kids weren't entirely without electricity.

Jee Hoon brought his Ipad.  

And surprisingly the battery lasted the entire 3 days.

 

We did lots of other fun things too.

I waited in the car with the children while

the menfolk were fishing.

Mostly because it was freezing cold at Strawberry Reservoir.  

It was nice, the kids ate snacks and played card games in the back, and I read and ate chocolate in the front.

I bet when pioneer menfolk came back from fishing

and their wives were waiting in the wagon,

that they actually brought fish with them.  

It's just a hunch I have...

We also got to do shooting.

This I was not to best at. However I am getting better.

Soung-Jo was a policeman in Korea, 

so he is a really good shot and a pretty good teacher too!

We had lots and lots of yummy food.

No fish of course...

 

Plenty of chocolate milk though!

I wonder if Hershey's would want a little male model?

If you must go camping may I suggest taking 3 Korean men with you?  They did all of the hauling, prep work, cooking, cleaning, dishes, late night potty trips with children, etc.

Maybe 3 American men would work too, I'm not sure. 

I might be a little spoiled.  

I did change a diaper or two, whoa is me!

We played many hours of cards games at night.

I kind of creamed everyone in this department as well,

not that anyone is keeping track. 

If we were keeping track you would know that we played Hearts and my grand total score was 8 - 

that's impressive for those of you who don't play! 

I must have cabin luck!

And last but not least we dug.

Well the kids dug and I sat lazily in my fold up chair by the fire and watched.  I remember when digging was fun too.

I think it was sometime before we built our own house.  That sucked the fun right out of it for me. I don't think you can be a true kid if you don't go explore around in the dirt every now and then.  

 It was a fun trip and it was also fun to come home to my shower and toilet!!!

BOOK REVIEW: THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Authors: Marry Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Number of Pages: 274

Number of Stars: 3.8

 That could possibly be the longest and strangest title of a book ever. Weird title aside I mostly enjoyed this book.  It was funny and quick witted.  The characters were likable.  I thought the whole book being written in letters made it unique and gave a break from the traditional narrative type story.  Reading all of the letters made me wish that people would still sit down and write hand written notes every once in a while.  The bad part about that is there is no delete button, which I find I use on a daily basis. Maybe it's a good thing we don't still write that way? It was nice in the fact that I could sit down for 30 seconds or 30 minutes to read. The actual writing was pretty good - and very witty.  I can only wish to ever be able to write like that. There was some dark content, but it was evenly balanced with humor and love.  This was a little piece of history that I had never been introduced to before. My favorite thing about this book is that it all boiled down to what choices we make in life.  Do you realize how one seemingly small choice can have major consequences? Would you sacrifice your life for a complete stranger?  Would you stand up for your beliefs in the face of fear, danger, and unpopularity? I wish I could say "yes", and right now I do say "yes", but when faced with the actual choice - I really don't know! This book points out the incredible amount of things we take for granted like: salt, meat, any food, soap, clothing, shoes, heat, wood to burn, freedom to meet with friends, freedom to be with our families, and so many more. Like a few of the ladies in book club, I also didn't appreciate the undercurrents of accepting homosexuality and the fact that family is easily replaceable by friends.  The ending turned a little more into a romance novel that I felt it should have. I am glad I read it, I probably won't read it again, unless it is another book club book.  I would love to travel to Guernsey someday...someday.

Willing the Weather Warmer

Last Saturday we decided to go for a picnic in the canyon.

First we had to figure out a canyon that wasn't buried with many feet of snow.

We decided that even though it was still cold outside, summer could not be put off any longer!

The ducks agree with us on this.

 

These little ducks have been frequenting our yard lately.

We drove up Provo Canyon, which was so beautiful.

We were going to park by Deer Creek and have our picnic, but they wanted to charge us $10.00 per car just to park by a picnic table.  I am way to cheap to do that,  so on we went.  We made it to Midway and found a great park.  I would love to live in Midway someday - if only they didn't get so much snow in the winter.  The park turned out to be way better than a lake.  I can only imagine how hard it would have been to keep William out of a lake.

Isabelle and Jee Hoon are best buddies! 

 

It's nice that he lets her boss him around so much.

 

Where are you William???

He thought it was hilarious to be standing on top of me.

 

Walking up the slide is just as fun as sliding down it.

 

Getting off of the swings was truly heartbreaking!

After a delicious BBQ, (thank you Soung-Jo!)

we had to play a little football.

Here are the boys trying to explain the "rules" to Isabelle.

 

Football might not be her forte.

It's definitely not mine!

It was so fun to play, but WOW - I am out of shape.

I don't recommend playing football with 

3 very physically fit grown men.

Luckily we weren't playing tackle.

As a side note though I can run very fast when I am afraid,

and Soung-Sik, Jee Hoon, and I won! 

Yay for us!

You can't drive past water with Soung-Sik 

without stopping to fish.

 

Sadly we didn't catch any fish.

Isabelle said there must not be any fish here.

We wrapped up the day with Bocce Ball and card games.

All in all a wonderful day and I am so happy that summer is peaking around the corner at us!

Humbled By My Children

Children have a unique power over their parents.

They have the ability to either inflate your ego higher than anyone else possibly could, or they can humble you to dust in a matter of seconds.  As everyone knows kids say the darndest things.  When I had children everyone told me "You should write down all of the cute things they say".  I thought this was a wonderful idea until the minute Isabelle learned to talk.  How exactly are you supposed to write down ALL of the funny/great things they say?  It has been non stop with that child.  I would have to follow her around with a tape recorder all day everyday. I don't know any mom with that kind of time on her hands.  So here's a sampling of some humbling (for better or for worse) things my children have said or done in the last couple of days.  

There is a commercial on one of the news channels I watch that is frequently played.  It is for a company called "Lifestyle Lift" that specializes in face lifts.  The "models" are both around 65 years old. Isabelle came up to me and said "Mommy, I think you need a lifestyle lift!  When you smile or do a face like this (picture any kind of weird face you'd like) you get wrinkles on your forehead.  I think a lifestyle lift would help a lot with that!"   Thanks girlie,  I really hadn't noticed the 3, or is it 4??? wrinkles that like to perch on my face.  I have a theory that a mom should grow a new arm with every baby she has, because let's face it, you need it.  I think what you grow instead is wrinkles on your forehead.  

Another experience that occurred after watching the news...I am not a supporter of our current president, President Obama, at all.  That is actually a huge understatement. If I could help him pack his bags and move out of the White House in a year and a half (or sooner) it would probably be one of the best days of my life.  Sometimes, like 6 times an hour, when watching the news I will get angry at my TV - or the President who happens to be speaking on it.  Isabelle knows that I don't really have tender feelings for Obama.  At lunch she started asking me about why people have different skin color.  I just explained to her that God created people of all colors and we are all children of God and he loves each and everyone one us.  Then she asked me "Is President Obama a child of God?" 

"Yes sweetie he is."  

"Then shouldn't you love and respect him mom?"

Humble pie - I think that is why God wants us to become as little children. As a disclaimer to this story I have to say that Obama's skin color has NOTHING to do with why I don't like him.  Okay Isabelle I am working on the whole loving others thing...

Isabelle ran into my room the other day and gave me the biggest hug.  She said "You are one of the best mommies I have ever had!!!"  I'm torn on this one.  Who are these other mommies I'm in competition with?  Well at least I am one of the best at something I am doing!

Even though William doesn't talk much he still helps out with the 

ego inflating/deflating machine.  

He can say about 20 words now.  But he still adamantly refuses to say "mommy".  Yesterday he said peanut butter cup.  If I ask him to say mom I get one of two responses "Grandpa or Daddy".  I am going to remember this William when you are a teenager.  I will find a way to pay you back...you have been warned!  

He is really into bedtime kisses now.  Last night he grabbed me by both of my ears and pulled my head down to his to give me a slobbery bedtime kiss.  After he did this at least 15 times my ears were finally given freedom.  

He also wants any boo boo he gets to be kissed.  My mommy kisses have magical powers.  They can instantly heal any problem, big or ever so small.  In a pinch a kiss from Grandma will do too.  She must have some of that magic left, or maybe grandma magic is even better - who knows?

Well those are the ramblings of a tired and deflated mom.  

I LOVE my job, even if wrinkles are on the list of benefits!

BOOK REVIEW: BATTLE HYMN OF THE TIGER MOTHER

 

Title: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Author: Amy Chua

Number of Pages: 229

Number of Stars I'm Giving: 5

I loved this book.  I have wanted to read it for a while because it is so controversial.  I had to get on a rather long waiting list at the library to even get it.  When I picked it up this afternoon I thought "I'll just read a chapter or two".  It only took me a few hours to read the whole thing.  It was so entertaining.  It was hilarious when she was horrified to learn that her breed of dog was only of an average intelligence! There were a few moments when I felt bad for her daughters, but then again there are moments when I feel bad for my own daughter.  I didn't really find any of her techniques "weird" or "abusive" as she has been labeled by many. Sometimes you have to sacrifice to get the benefits. I have at least 10 Korean mom friends who are exactly like this. 

She does bring up a few things that I think as a culture we should really think about.  Asian children more and more are trumping Americans in almost every subject.  I don't think its because they are more intelligent, but rather they are taught from a very young age to work hard.  They put their blood, sweat, and tears into being the best.  I believe this can be taken to an extreme, however most Americans would have to change by leaps and bounds to get to that point.  I have witnessed at our Taekwondo center literally hundreds of children who quit because "they just don't want to stop playing to come to practice," or "they just want to have a break for a little bit".  This has always surprised me.  

When I announced to the world that I was going to home school my children, no one was concerned about the level of education they would be receiving. I did have to fight off hoards of people concerned about my kids socialization.  At what point in our culture did socializing become our #1 priority?  In my humble opinion, we are way out of balance in our priorities as a society. There's also no denying that hard work breeds success.  After reading this book I consider myself to be 70% Tiger Mom.  I could never be 100%, because lets face it I was raised in an American home and am therefore lazy...ha ha ha, sad, but true.  

The main thing I took away from this book was that whatever you push your children towards - just push.  Don't just sit around and wait for them to become great.  Greatness comes from hard work, by both the parents and the child.  Also something I already knew, but this book reinforced is being a good parent will often times be unpopular.  You have to stick to your guns as a parent, regardless of what your family, friends, acquaintances, and even your children may say.

I really don't care if my children ever end up performing in Carnegie Hall or have PHD behind their names.  But you'd better believe we don't believe in quitting and my goal as a mother is to produce very well rounded contributing members to society....

ROAR!!!

BOOK REVIEW: THE GOOSE GIRL

Title: The Goose Girl

Author: Shannon Hale

Number of Pages: 383

Number of Stars I'm Giving: 3.8

Here are a couple of things I didn't love about this book.

#1 - The whole "speaking to animals, wind, ect. seemed a little too convenient. It was thrown into the story in places where I wish Ani would have relied on her own new found strengths. #2 - The ending was insanely predictable. Not that predictability is always a bad thing.

Here are some things I enjoyed about this book.

#1 - I love reading fairy tales.  I doubt I'll ever out grow that. So it was nice to have a fairy tale written for someone older than 7 in mind.  However it was still probably written with people aged 13 to 15 in mind, just remember that as you are reading. #2 - The writing was fast paced, interesting, and clean.  #3 - It shows the consequence of people's choices. 

#4 - Surprisingly it almost made me cry in one spot. 

#5 - It has a fairy tale ending...

which you will figure out about half of the way through.

Overall a fun, quick and enjoyable read.

I definitely recommend it if you are 

wondering what to read next.

If I Have to Tell You 1 More Time...

We had one of those days today.

Not bad per say.

Not good either.

I think we all woke up feeling like 
we wanted to go back to bed. 

Isabelle and I really had it out a few times today. Our house guest doesn't believe that I could get really mad at my kids. 

Obviously he hasn't been around long enough yet. 

Honestly I don't know if I needed to be more patient with her, or if she needed to be more patient with me. 

It took her over 2 hours to finish 1 page of her piano theory.

It took her 2 hours to not finish 1 page of math.

Science, crafts, and spelling didn't happen at all.

Strange that we were still doing school at 6:00 tonight.

Not so strange that the kids were in bed by 7:30.  

They aren't sleeping, but they are out of my hair 
for the day so - whew!

I must have said the phrase "If I have to tell you 1 more time to (fill in the blank) I swear...
That's as far as I get.  

I am not really sure how to end that sentence.

During one of Liam's many tantrums tonight I said

"Somebody is a little cranky today."

Isabelle immediately replied

"I think it's you Mom."

Normally a comment like that would not fly in my house, but today there was just enough truth in it that 
I had to let it slide.

Tomorrow I am determined to wake up on the 
right side of the bed.  
This might require me to switch sides with Soung-Sik.

There is a new rule at our house effective today.  NO TV, Wii, or fun until chores, school, and piano are done.  
I might reconsider the fun part in the 
morning when I am a little less "cranky".

For when my little minions read this in 20 years, I just want to add that you had plenty of cute and loving moment as well today.  I love you both!

Korean Picnic & Choir Performance

I have to give a disclaimer for this post - yet again.

I had some of the worst picture taking luck all day!

The pictures are far from good, but you'll probably get the idea.

We started off the morning at a picnic in beautiful Sugar House Park with all of the students in our Korean language school.  Since this was a Korean party there was good food.  LOTS and LOTS of good food.

The man sitting next to Soung-Sik is the friend staying with us for the next few months.  His name is Doo-Il.

 

After we stuffed ourselves the kids had to get some playground time in.

 

William LOVED the swing, but he is so small he 

kept falling out of the baby swing.

Now that I look at the picture I think he's in the swing backwards.

Hey I was just doing what all the other parents were doing.

I wonder why their kids stayed in?

 

Here's Isabelle with one of her teachers.

Her teachers were the best!  They have been so nice, patient, 

and incredibly loving with Isabelle.

We are really going to miss them during the summer!

 

This is Isabelle and some of the other kids doing a drawing competition.

 

They also had hackey sack competitions, a treasure hunt, and played some Korean games called "something, something in Korean".   Isabelle had an extreme amount of fun even though she didn't win any games.

William was just running around like a crazed baby without a nap.  

I tried to subdue him with the sling...

 

 Sadly he never fell asleep.

Instead he started entertaining himself by pinching me and pulling my hair.

It hurt.

He laughed.

After an hour I gave up and turned him loose again.

After the party we had to hurry, 

and I mean hurry to Isabelle's choir performance.

Actually I had to dress her and do her hair in the car.  This was not an easy feat, and sadly we still missed the first song. Were you aware that it takes more than 10 minutes to get from Sugar House park to 7200 S? 

 

Here's my summary of the choir performance.

Natalie (my niece) and Isabelle were the cutest kids, if you ask me.

The choir as a whole did great.

Then came the soloists.  Horrible is an understatement. It was so so bad.

Someone such as their parents or the choir director should have let them know this. 

I realize it's mean to say things like that, 

but I think it's meaner to let them go do that in front of 100 people.

As a side note I am ridiculously glad choir practices are over.

By this point in the day William couldn't resist sleep any longer.

 

You know he's tired when he falls asleep without finishing a sucker!

Congratulatory ice cream was in order.

 

We wrapped up our busy day by torturing William...again.

 

 

All in all it was a very fun and very memorable day. 

I hope the memories last longer than the sunburns!