So today is the day for another joint review… We are on our THIRD Boxcar Children book… The Yellow House by Gertrude Chandler Warner. We have dwindled down to TWO readers: myself and Gavin.

I am finding more and more that this is a definite feel good series of light reading. Even Gavin is finding that the books are not too challenging. Though he does take a substantial amount of time to read the books. I, personally found it an afternoon read, but an enjoyable one. 

I did find that you really do need to read these in order. Each book refers back to the previous adventures so far… so you CAN enjoy the four children (with dog) and their adventures without doing so but you would be left with questions when they speak of a past experience. 

In this story the children have been wondering (still) about the empty yellow house back on the island from book two (Surprise Island).Of course, there is a story to hear about the little house that led to a whole new adventure. This time with their cousin and guest along for the excitement. 

There is an interesting discussion about camping and portaging complete with storms and mountain men. The imagery is fun and the people they meet along the way interesting. Definitely age appropriate for our 10 year olds and fun for the younger crowd. 

And now for Gavin’s opinion… beware of possible spoilers!!

It was good, I liked the mystery. It is a book I would read again. I am already on the 4th book. My favorite character is Watch the dog. I like him because he is cute and he helps. He wasn’t in the book a lot but he was still in it. I think lots of people would like reading it. It is sad that they talk about some people having died but they solve the mystery. I want to read the whole series!!!

So if you want a good family book to read together or have your child read. This could be the series for you! Be sure to check out our other reviews on the previous books (Boxcar Children and Surprise Island). 

July 5-7

With all the holidaying over we were still home alone. The first Saturday of the month but no driver, we did not make Home Depot for the monthly craft. In exchange we had a large amount of quiet…Just the two girls and myself is so very very different. We started our morning with dry cereal and cartoons in the livingroom. A nice slow start to a whole day of homebody fun.

After breakfast we moved the fun outside to the pool Daddy had hung around long enough the day before to blow up. It is HUGE with just two little girls in it.

We had treats in the sunshine and played babies and mommies.

With a quick lunch indoors…

And then back out to make pain fireworks. I bought black poster paper specifically for this activity. This is a yearly craft for us. Put liquid paint on the paper, place a plastic lid on top and smack it with a hammer. The impact makes the amazing fireworks you see the girls making!

They also did some personal creating

After all that fun it was time for tv and napping.

Then back out into the yard.

A trend that continued into Sunday where we had our play time and then drained the pool. Of course we watched it go all the way down the drive and then down the street to the flood drain.

We took total advantage of our girls only time while the boys were out on their camping/Gabbi’s birthday party.

Of course with everyone coming home the 7th was a write off… well… except for sewing! Of course now to post and move onto the July learning!! 

July 2-3

I have to say, having the reason to celebrate BOTH Canada Day AND Independence Day has made our July much more interesting. Of course since one is July 1st and the other the 4th we DO have two days in between. This year was unusual as everyone (including Joe, Faithe, Gabbi and Zachary with Nana and Baba) was going camping starting on the 3rd… Except me and the girls (Mosquito allergy) and Ken (leaving the morning of the 4th after his appointments). This marks one of the VERY few civic holidays that Ken and myself would not celebrate together. As I mentioned in a previous July 4th entry HERE, we 3 girls did manage a fun time without our boys. But we did miss them!

Anyway… the 2nd and 3rd… We started with a half day of school. Mainly reflections on what it means to each of the twins to be Canadian…

And pictures of things that represent Canada to Trinity and Emanuel.

The boys are very serious about improving their reading. The twins are thick into chapter books and Emanuel is struggling less and less.

The kids got their newest souvenir from Nana and Baba’s travels… animal puzzles!

And then it was time for cousins and playing.

They are set to move to Florida at the end of July. Quite the big move and a wee bit unexpected so I made sure to grab early July 4th group photos. I even dressed the kids up in their colours. I couldn’t let a holiday go by without that! (I posted an image or two from this photo shoot HERE.)

Especially without a group shot of the kids. Every year we do it!

On the 3rd we saw off everyone BUT Daddy, but really snuck out before the chaos and met up with Renee, Nathan, Evan, Jeffrey and Renee’s sister Karen (you will remember her from the amazing June wedding Ken was in HERE).

This is a pretty amazing series of parks. There is a play park, then a splash pad (not a park, just a cement pad with water spraying out) and then the manicured and lifeguard included beach!

Ken was odd man out as usual but the kids had a blast, and it was so fun to get to see the sisters together. Now that Ken is healthier and working on becoming the healthy and HAPPY man we always knew he could be he is the first out the door to allow for the possibility of us expanding our social life. Karen and Renee are such a welcome addition to the list of people I have locally to hang out with. I feel so lucky that they include us on outings and time with the kids! (Karen is an amazing math teacher as well! And so interesting to talk to about possible school ideas… something I have been missing here in Minnesota what with all my librarian friends up north!!)

The girls didn’t even miss their wayward brothers and even made up for the lack of boys by playing with Nathan and Evan.

I was amazed at the absolute confidence Miss Echo showed. We didn’t have to convince her into the water or even follow her around!

Of course we brought lunch!

After our playdate it was off to Joann’s to spend the amazing gift card my sister in law Holly sent me for my birthday. She sent it with the direction to “buy yarn” so I went all out random.  And since it was clearance time spent way less than expected!!

With just the two girls and then Daddy gone to appointments was our afternoon and evening ever QUIET!!! So weird, not only having just girls but only 2!!!! But a nice break before the next special day!

Enjoy the beach filled overflow!