Archive | June 2015

The Woodshed Mystery… A Boxcar Children Book

Back to our little book club of 2 and the reviews we come up with together.

We have made it to book 7 of the Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner: The Woodshed Mystery. I have to say from a strictly entertainment value review, this is the best book of the series. There are multiple mysteries, interesting new characters and some background/history on the beloved Aunt Jane unearthed.

I also found it interesting that the author had the children grow up some as well… they have progressed in age and grade and even attitudes. It is even more apparent in this book that we are required to read the previous books in order to truly understand who is involved.

I love how dated these are. There are no cellphones, no internet… the mysteries are solved by hard work, talking to the neighbours and coming to careful conclusions. It was a wonderful read and fun to share with my fellow book club member.

And now for Gavin’s impressions beware of potential spoilers!

I loved the mystery in this one because it was very interesting. They solved 3 or 4 mysteries this time! They have meet a lot of friends in these books and some that they thought were dead! I think the dog should be in everything more. I think this is the best bet yet in the series. It is a good story to read to children and homeschooling kids would like it. I want to read the whole series, maybe. There are a lot of books!

And there you have it, another Boxcar Children book borrowed from the library and thoroughly enjoyed! Again, be forewarned, READ THEM IN ORDER! That is the only way to be in the know when past events are recalled or people. A light afternoon read for myself or an intriguing mystery for Gavin, we both truly enjoyed this story.9780833548955_p0_v1_s260x420

Flitting Through February Fotos… er Photos

Looking back at February with its chilly weather and indoor activities now that we are facing warm rain and hot sun has been a fun challenge… so sit back and enjoy my extra photos!

Puzzling Puzzles

Puzzling Puzzles

This sweater was Aunty Karyn's when she was a young girl!

This sweater was Aunty Karyn’s when she was a young girl!

Indoor snowfight!

Indoor snowfight!

Talking to Grandma after her brothers were done their birthday calls!

Talking to Grandma after her brothers were done their birthday calls!

Absolutely styling

Absolutely styling

Princess Echo

Princess Echo

Art!

Art!

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D!

D!

We got some sweet mail from Gammie as well!

We got some sweet mail from Gammie as well!

And Aunty Heather!

And Aunty Heather!

New hats from Gammie

New hats from Gammie

IKEA trip!

IKEA trip!

Not sure WHAT the reasoning would be for guns in IKEA???

Not sure WHAT the reasoning would be for guns in IKEA???

Lasagna with the Schwartz family.

Lasagna with the Schwartz family.

Home Depot WITH FRIENDS!

Home Depot WITH FRIENDS!

Keep on reading with BOOK IT!

Keep on reading with BOOK IT!

And our Chinese New Year

And our Chinese New Year

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And the best combo of Chinese word and fortune ever!IMAG1540

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Fast and Furious February

I think that we have not had a relaxing and laid back February since 2004 and the birth of the twins… compound that with Emanuel being born in 2006 two days before their second birthday and we start our month off with activity already. Then it is Valentine’s Day and often Chinese New Year. 2015 was no different than years past. It helps that we absolutely LOVE Chinese New Year thanks to our adorable god daughters… Anna and Isabella and their families. There is so much culture and beauty we have yet to see and experience, sadly not in person… but through our learning. You can join us with our resource entry HERE for 2015’s year of the goat/sheep unit.

Dragon Puppet

Dragon Puppet

IMAG1508It was a rather unique birthday for the boys as we didn’t have the big old family and friends party. February was also the beginning of Nana and Baba’s vacation in the Dominican Republic.102_0289

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We had MULTIPLE parties, really more suppers with friends. One of those was a totally fun and bad for you movie and snack night with the Schwartz family. IMAG1457

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And the other dinner with the Novaks! IMAG1582

Of course we had the usual, Home Depot.. swimming.. life in fast forward it seems…102_0297

We also hit our 100 days of class mark! This was a fun challenge, I had each of the kids come up with some piece of art or even just something fun made out of 100 pieces. We had Legos, popsicle sticks, stickers… it was great! Trinity glued on sparkly confetti and yours truly made a special poster of heart stickers.102_0292

102_0293We babysat our favourite baby – Jeffrey… the girls absolutely eat him up!102_0290

Emanuel basically made his scout car all by himself with minimal help from Daddy. While he did not win he came home proud.IMAG1412102_0298

We drew…102_0280

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The girls showed off their princesses to go with my crocheted versions. You can actually purchase her wonderful patterns (Kristen’s Kords) HERE.102_0309

102_0313We had readers and rather good listeners. It is always a bit of a a buzz to see them reading to each other willingly.102_0317

102_0320It is hard to believe that we now have two 11 year olds AND a 9 year old! Who gave them permission to grow up?102_0288

IMAG1333We even had a completion of workbook… I swear Trinity is just busting through hers! I am so proud of all these kids and their drive to learn. It wanes at times but we all end up inhaling books and searching down facts.

102_0275Of course we ended up at the YMCA swimming pool, that is pretty normal, BUT we also had the twins BOTH get their pink wristbands. This gets them free reign of the pool! And with them old enough to be dropped off…  this could be a GOOD summer for them. Pictured below in the lane pool (deepest area).IMAG1326Don’t forget about Valentine’s Day when we had our red, pink and white lunch and SPECIAL GUESTS for dinner – Aunty Shandai and Uncle Ravyn!IMAG1468

IMAG1477Dr. Seuss’ birthday was also in February so the girls went to Lakeshore to enjoy the festivities.IMAG1571

 So February was a colourful month full of celebration and love… you can check the overflow of images with some events I did NOT cover in this entry HERE. Look forward to reflecting BACK at March next! IMAG1377