Archive | August 2013

Flirts… 5 Romantic Short Stories

I have come across one of the stories in this book before… The Hot Girl’s Friend (reviewed HERE) and the one I believe comes after Flirts called Pickup Lessons (reviewed HERE). I love how Lisa Scott’s short romantic stories are all interconnected… each of her main characters meets up with someone from the previous, is at the wedding of the previous or somehow knows someone from one of the other stories. This is volume one of the Flirts series and simply titled: Flirts.

I don’t want to give too much plot away but each of these five stories is a wonderful romantic comedy with characters you love to learn more about. Each of the stories has a happily ever after and each of the romances simply warms  your heart. Lisa Scott is able to do in a short story what many authors do not quite accomplish with hundreds more pages. She draws you in, makes you care for the characters, gives you love and laughter and then ties it up with a lovely ending each time.

There are more of these collections out by Lisa Scott… and I, for one am definitely going to keep my eye peeled for them and add them to my book list. These lovely short stories are a quick and satisfying read. 5 stories in one volume and each a total treat!

Flirts!

Flirts!

This entry was posted on 30/08/2013, in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Countdown to Party Day

August 16-17

After our adventurous evening NO ONE was complaining when I suggested we end our school week at home in the backyard! Trinity has said she would love another walk, just NOT to McDonalds! But we did it and I am VERY proud of it!

Emanuel finished his subtraction book… we are covering some of the basics one at a time… next is addition then onto the beginning reading sounds. I know he KNOWS most of this but we are really starting his schooling shortly and I feel it is important to review and get him in the right frame of mind. I am lax in Kindergarten generally to learn by play but I do want more of an organized gr. 1 so it can be a bit of a shock!!101_4183

Of course we still had time to enjoy nature!

Drawing it, talking about it and sitting in the sun!

Drawing it, talking about it and sitting in the sun!

I also need to show off the amazing penguins Gavin assembled using a kit we got at Michaels that really had TOUGH instructions. He stuck with it and they are TERRIFIC!101_4185

Saturday was our final prep day before Echo’s big party. So of course we ran off to Lakeshore to do the weekly craft! I checked, they go year round… so when we have the vehicle free (trust me, importing a 10+ yr old vehicle has been a royal PAIN) and the day we head over.101_4186

I picked up some marvelous little dictionaries for each of the boys. I want to relieve some of the stress of writing so they can check and see if they can find the spelling 0n those words they are unsure of in these, and record new ones as well!101_4195

This had us near JoAnn’s so I was able to get supplies for two of my Christmas presents, and head over to the nearby mall to pick up free Victoria’s Secret panties (I do so love a good coupon!). Echo takes instant possession of any and all bags lately! Especially ones that are pretty with ribbons!101_4187

What to do after errands and crafts with sunshine? PICNIC and PARK! We thought ahead and remembered the soccer ball this time!101_4188

101_4190101_4191All in all a fun way to work our way up to Echo’s 3rd birthday party!101_4194

Meeting Those Milestones Head On

August 14-15

I got the lucky opportunity to take our not so little family over to the Novaks’ house first thing in the morning to help Darcy out so she could make an important appointment an hour away. Ken had class, his last before the test, so for him it was a drop and run. I got there AFTER Darcy had left (gotta love the older boys who can manage for shorter periods of time).

We had the computers running Minecraft, the oldest still sleeping away, cartoons on the tv and a lovely day to enjoy.101_4152

101_4154Lunch was simple – veggies, crackers, cheese and juice.

Apparently celery without peanut butter is NOT cool!

Apparently celery without peanut butter is NOT cool!

We stayed well into the evening as Ken not only had class but afterwards everyone went out for dinner.

SNOOPY~!

SNOOPY~!

Andrew and Anthony took all but Echo out to the nearby park. I think we completely wore out all 5 of ours but it was a great day… not only did we have a massive playdate BUT we also had a lovely bit of downtime before Thursdays first annual assessment test for the kids officially registered in homeschooling (ages 7 and up).101_4158

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birthday cookie!

birthday cookie!

With her Snuggly Worm

With her Snuggly Worm

The test was a long awaited final requirement for the state of Minnesota for the year and a total weight off my mind. While I do not believe in sharing grades and really in grading completely at this age I can do the proud mama (and teacher) brag and state that ONE of the twins is 2 full grades ahead in math and the other almost 1 1/2! We do need to work on spelling (not a surprise) and general knowledge (well DUH, we are teaching them NOW what the kids here have grown up knowing) so no real surprises… except how well they are doing!!! Good job boys!!!!photo (82a)

photo (82b)We were hoping to start swimming lessons Thursday evening but the swim club ended up short of numbers so we are waiting for the second session. Instead I took the (apparently) courageous move to walk all 5 kids (with Echo in stroller) along the major road, over a bridge and hill to McDonald’s for a special dinner! What I thought was a decent length walk turned out to be a total 3.4 mile walk!! ACK (that is with return trip, 1.7 each way) We had a lovely dinner and even won a free smoothie!

Starting out all excited

Starting out all excited

photo (82d)

Freebie!

Freebie!

Ready to head home

Ready to head home

Emanuel figured once we got there we should have contacted Daddy and had him come get us but we were made of sterner stuff  than that and walked all the way home and directly into the shower!

We came home to undies for our no longer baby... not sure she understands what  they are for yet!

We came home to undies for our no longer baby… not sure she understands what they are for yet!

A day of milestones to be sure!photo (82c)