Picture Books to Check Out

Charles and I went to the library to pick up some books. We are trying to encourage a love for books at an early age. I don't know who enjoys this time more me or him. This is what we have read so far:
1.) Yawn by Sally Symes: This is a really cute bed time book.
2.) What Do You Know: Wisdom for the Road Ahead by Lorinda Bryan Cauley. This book has so many tasks you can do with a little one from matching to finding hidden pictures.
3.) Just Shopping with Mom by Mercer Mayer
4.) Just Grandma and Me by Mercer Mayer
5.) Just me and my Dad by Mercer Mayer
6.) Just a Baseball Game by Mercer Mayer. As you can tell I am a fan of Mercer Mayer.
7.) Rock 'n Roll Mole by Carolyn Crimi. This is a precious story.
8.) Tumford the Terrible by Nancy Tillman. A story about apologies.
9.)Wherever you are: My Love will Find You by Nancy Tillman. Priceless book about the love of a parent to their children.
10.) An Awesome Book of Thanks by Dallas Clayton. See previous post for more details.
11.) Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt. This story made me laugh.
12.)While you sleep by Julia Moore. Beautiful story and pictures.
13.) Six Sheep Sip Thick Shakes and other Tricky Tongue Twisters by Brian P. Cleary. Such a fun read.
14.) No! No! No! By Anne Rockwell. Everyday can turn out to be a good one.
15.) Before You Came by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily M. Charest. A loving story about being a new parent.
16.) What Dads Can't Do by Douglas Wood. A Wonderful Father's Day gift!
17.) What Moms Can't Do by Douglas Wood. Such a sweet story.
18.) There Was An Old Monkey Who Swallowed a Frog by Jennifer Ward. An excellent story. A wonderful way to teach sequence.
19.) Brownie and Pearl Go for a Spin by Cynthia Rylant. Nice pictures but not my favorite.
We have one more book to go before we need to go back. 19 books in less than 2 weeks.

An Awesome Book of Thanks!

This book is adorable. Charles and I went to the library for the first time, and we picked up a lot of cute books. I really like this one and would love to have it in my own personal collection of books. It is a cute little picture book about being thankful for everything. Check out the author's web page: www.veryawesomworld.com .

How my 12 in 2012 is going:

To see my 12 in 2012 list.

1.) To be honest I really need to get with my Bible reading. I always learn something new when I read it, and I know it is one of the ways I can build my relationship with my heavenly father. I just need to take care of business. Reminders would be great if you would like to.

2.) Blog more! I think I have been a lot better than I have ever been. I hope to continue. This blog is a great reminder of what our family is up to, and I enjoy going back and reading it.

3.) I have branched out on genres. So far this year I have read the following books: Amazing Grace by Megan Shull it is about a teenage pro tennis player and is 247 pages long . I was surprised that I liked it because reading about sports is totally not my thing. I read this in December. The Hunger Games (374 pgs) , Catching Fire (391 pgs), and Mocking Jay (390 pgs) by Suzanne Collins. These books were awesome and I am so glad I finally agreed to read them. My husband has been trying to get me to read them for awhile. I read the whole series in a week in January. The War with Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith. It is a very cute young adult book with only 160 pages. I enjoyed laughing at the antics of the Grandpa and grandson. Remember it is fun and okay to read young adult books. It is nice to read something fun and easy at times. An added benefit for me reading these books is that I can suggest them to students. I just finished reading Maximum Ride The Angel Experiment by James Patterson. This book is totally out of my comfort zone: science fiction is not my area at all. To be honest I loved the book and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen to the orphaned kids. This book stopped with me wanting more. I have to go get the next book from the library today. This book is 422 pages long.

4.) My exercising goal has not even really happened unless you consider cleaning house, carrying around baby gear and a 2o something pound Charles, and constantly going up and down stairs because I left something either in the basement or upstairs.

5.) I think we are doing better with our eating habits. This can always get better.

6.) I am learning the features on my new camera. I am really enjoying the video part.

7.) I need to look into a photography class.

8.) My plan is to take a class for my reading endorsement this summer.

9.) I need to do this.

10.) I am getting better about drinking water. It helps when then only thing we keep in the fridge is milk and sweet tea. I am not a tea drinker so I drink water except for breakfast.

11.) I have been doing this more. The past two weekends we have traveled. I packed all of our stuff, and Charles and I headed up to the University of Northern Iowa to meet Patrick at a high school honor band event two weekends ago. This past weekend we all decided to go to Omaha.

12.) I feel I do this most days.

An Awesome Find

I got this mud pie outfit for Charles for $5.52 at the store today. I was so excited!! It was on sale already for $7, and I had almost $2 left on a gift card. It is 18 months in size. When I measured Charles on top of the outfit it was about 2 inches too long, so a perfect outfit hopefully for his 9 month pictures in May. Score!!!
Question what shirt would look good underneath? Check out other mud pie items here: http://www.mud-pie.com.

Traveling Man

This little guy has traveled more in the first six months of his life than most adults. He has been in the following states: Georgia, South Carolina, Iowa, and Nebraska. Even more if you count riding through states. We decided last minute to have a fun weekend in Omaha. We apparently wore the little one out.

My Guys

Right after work today. Patrick and Charles having fun. Charles loves this time with his Daddy. The father and son bond growing is so much fun to watch.

Play time with Daddy:

A New Website

Everyone please check out my friend Tabatha's new site. If you need any type of cards, invites, or printables. She also sews really cute items. Check out her site and enter for a really cool prize! Here is the link: www.cohenlane.com .

A Merry Unbirthday

"MAD HATTER:Now, statistics prove, prove that you've one birthdayMARCH HARE:Imagine, just one birthday every yearMAD HATTER:Ah, but there are three hundred and sixty four unbirthdays!MARCH HARE:Precisely why we're gathered here to cheerBOTH:A very merry unbirthday to you, to youALICE:To me?MAD HATTER:To you!BOTH:A very merry unbirthdayALICE:For me?MARCH HARE:For you!MAD HATTER:Now blow the candle out my dearAnd make your wish come trueBOTH:A merry merry unbirthday to you!"

This song has been in my head lately. Our little man just turned 6 months old. So a Merry unbirthday to him! The above picture is of him eating his first food other than cereal. He loved Sweet Potatoes.

Exploring

Our February so far:
This first picture I just love. Charles is so cute in it.

Superbowl fun- Charles enjoyed playing with Harrison and Will.

These blocks used to be Patrick's when he was little. Charles really likes them. They are just the right size for him to pick up, and of course he tries to eat them. Everything he can put in his mouth goes in his mouth. He also likes to knock over towers that are built for him. Thanks Grandma for sending them in the mail!

Exploring play time: I dump out all kinds of toys and Charles plays with everything off and on during this time. He gets to see, touch, and hear what each toy does. He really studies his toys. It is so fun to watch him learn.

He is just so stinkin' cute.

The video is of Charles talking to the book on the ExerSaucer.

Playing on Wordle

Go to www.wordle.net and make your own. I forgot to add photography to my wordle. These are fun to play around with.

An Early Valentine

Dear Auntie M,
Thanks for the bib. I spit up and droll a lot. You know I consider making messes my job.

I love you lots,
Charles
AKA Chubby Chubbs for now.