I'm reviewing books 43 and 44 in the same post because I can and not because there is a common theme.
Book 43 was Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman from Penguin Press 2012.
As you may or may not know I like to read parenting books especially those about different styles as we try to mold Miss R into a well rounded individual. In a lot of ways I found that Bringing Up Bebe reflected a lot of the techniques that my parents used raising me and could really relate to them. While I don't necessarily agree with everything in Druckerman's book there are definitely ideas that I can use in my own home. The book moves along at a fairly quick pace and does a lot of compare and contrast between what the author sees living in France and what she sees when visiting family in the United States. She also makes it clear that neither style is necessarily right or wrong but there are good attributes in both. What I really see is that France uses more of the Village approach while North Americans tend to be much more insular. Worth the read and I know it is making an impact in our home.
Book 44 was Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter from Harper Collins 2012.
I loved this book, actually wasn't able to put it down. All of the characters, the scenery and the flow of the story just made it that much more wonderful. My apologies to the author but I originally thought Beautiful Ruins was written by a woman and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was a man. The novel spans a large period of time, but is done in such a manner that you don't get lost but are drawn in. My rating for this book is 5 out of 5.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
First Week Lunches
Well I haven't done horrible for the first week of school lunches but it hasn't been perfect yet. The good news is she hasn't left anything uneaten yet, the bad news is we've had some leaks.
On Wednesday when I picked Miss R up I noticed that her cooler was wet. When I asked her if she knew what/how she didn't have an answer! As I unpacked the cooler I discovered her chocolate milk leaked. The culprit, a water bottle that wasn't closed properly. Cleaned everything out and rinsed out cooler but it needs a good scrubbing so went to emergency cooler for Thursday. I also decided since the cooler was empty to find out if she had enough food. She told me that she did/but didn''t. She was fine for first break and lunch, but not for second break. It then decided to give some extra on Thursday.
I worked on Wednesday night to make some rice pudding and after some challenges with it. It eventually thickened and I was able to send it with Miss R. Well that didn't work as planned. She opened the rice pudding first break then decided to eat the easier food of applesauce and raspberries. The problem was she didn't close the lid properly so when she opened her cooler again at lunch the rice pudding had spilled all over. Thankfully someone at school helped her clean it up and I got a soggy wet napkin home. Good news is Miss r had enough to eat and even brought home a small piece of hot dog.
On Wednesday when I picked Miss R up I noticed that her cooler was wet. When I asked her if she knew what/how she didn't have an answer! As I unpacked the cooler I discovered her chocolate milk leaked. The culprit, a water bottle that wasn't closed properly. Cleaned everything out and rinsed out cooler but it needs a good scrubbing so went to emergency cooler for Thursday. I also decided since the cooler was empty to find out if she had enough food. She told me that she did/but didn''t. She was fine for first break and lunch, but not for second break. It then decided to give some extra on Thursday.
I worked on Wednesday night to make some rice pudding and after some challenges with it. It eventually thickened and I was able to send it with Miss R. Well that didn't work as planned. She opened the rice pudding first break then decided to eat the easier food of applesauce and raspberries. The problem was she didn't close the lid properly so when she opened her cooler again at lunch the rice pudding had spilled all over. Thankfully someone at school helped her clean it up and I got a soggy wet napkin home. Good news is Miss r had enough to eat and even brought home a small piece of hot dog.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Back To School 2012
So today was the first day of school for Miss R this year. She is in Full Day Kindergarten Year Two meaning she needs a lunch and two snacks. I've been dreading the menu portion of her day for a while and working on ideas to make sure she is well fed. I don't know why I was worried about it because I've already done this for full day summer camps and if perfectly honest when she's home with me all day.
Miss R is taking an active role in selecting her lunch bag contents and so far that has served me well. Today she took applesauce, carrots and tomatoes, milk, water, and cheesy pasta as well as the standard napkin, ice pack and her folding spoon. Doesn't sound like much, but she really didn't touch her water and decided not to eat the carrots. Miss R can be a finicky eater, but when push comes to shove if she's hungry she'll eat what she's given.
We'll see what tomorrow brings since she's asked for applesauce, cheesy pasta, milk (packed differently as the tetra's are very hard to drink from), water and raspberries. I'm waiting for the milk program to start because that will mean one less thing I need to put in her cooler. On the other hand I'm not super thrilled with hot lunch. The hot lunch choice is pizza every Wednesday, but we've opted for pizza once a month.
I just need to remember if she's hungry she'll eat and if she's involved she's more apt to eat it.
Miss R is taking an active role in selecting her lunch bag contents and so far that has served me well. Today she took applesauce, carrots and tomatoes, milk, water, and cheesy pasta as well as the standard napkin, ice pack and her folding spoon. Doesn't sound like much, but she really didn't touch her water and decided not to eat the carrots. Miss R can be a finicky eater, but when push comes to shove if she's hungry she'll eat what she's given.
We'll see what tomorrow brings since she's asked for applesauce, cheesy pasta, milk (packed differently as the tetra's are very hard to drink from), water and raspberries. I'm waiting for the milk program to start because that will mean one less thing I need to put in her cooler. On the other hand I'm not super thrilled with hot lunch. The hot lunch choice is pizza every Wednesday, but we've opted for pizza once a month.
I just need to remember if she's hungry she'll eat and if she's involved she's more apt to eat it.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
#50BookPledge Book 42 The Night Circus
I'm surprised. My 50 book challenge while slowing down during the summer has still moved fairly well. I think YMBC and the endless pile of books in my bedroom is the encouragement I needed. Book 42 The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern from Doubleday Canada was a departure as I read it on my Kobo which was a nice change.
The Night Circus is a fun book. I won't say it is a book that I couldn't put down, but I was always ready to pick it back up. Due to my summer schedule it wasn't uncommon to be away from the book for a couple of days and I am happy to say I didn't feel the need to reread anything making it really easy to keep moving forward. Marco and Celia are both interesting characters who would probably be considered somewhat mistreated by today's standards.
I loved the circus as the playground for a very complex, nonspecific challenge to occur as well as the nursery for a deep abiding love to develop. I found all of the characters to have multiple layers making them much believable. It is curious to me how Poppet was able to predict the future of the circus while Celia believes her with no real questions asked.
The Night Circus is a wonderful read and I am thrilled that Marco & Celia get what they want and deserve at the end of the book. It is really too bad that their parents/teachers let their egos ruin the lives of these two dynamic people.
The Night Circus is a fun book. I won't say it is a book that I couldn't put down, but I was always ready to pick it back up. Due to my summer schedule it wasn't uncommon to be away from the book for a couple of days and I am happy to say I didn't feel the need to reread anything making it really easy to keep moving forward. Marco and Celia are both interesting characters who would probably be considered somewhat mistreated by today's standards.
I loved the circus as the playground for a very complex, nonspecific challenge to occur as well as the nursery for a deep abiding love to develop. I found all of the characters to have multiple layers making them much believable. It is curious to me how Poppet was able to predict the future of the circus while Celia believes her with no real questions asked.
The Night Circus is a wonderful read and I am thrilled that Marco & Celia get what they want and deserve at the end of the book. It is really too bad that their parents/teachers let their egos ruin the lives of these two dynamic people.
Friday, August 3, 2012
#50BookPledge Book 41 Next Best Thing
The Next Best Thing: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner from Atria Books 2012
I've read one of Ms Weiner's books before and must say this one was much different. I enjoyed the book and character development. The way Ruth's story is told in this novel maybe confusing for some but I liked the mini flashbacks, that were about a chapter in length each. By working with the story which happens after Ruth moves to Hollywood and gets her dream writing job, we get glimpses into how Ruth got to that point.
I applaud Ms Weiner for working with main characters that have physical flaws and seeing those characters "win" in the end. She tries very hard to have Ruth's story, as Ruth writes it for her TV, echo parts of Ruth's real life. Ruth's ability to stick to her guns and get what she wants in the end makes for a perfect story.
A great summer beach read.
I've read one of Ms Weiner's books before and must say this one was much different. I enjoyed the book and character development. The way Ruth's story is told in this novel maybe confusing for some but I liked the mini flashbacks, that were about a chapter in length each. By working with the story which happens after Ruth moves to Hollywood and gets her dream writing job, we get glimpses into how Ruth got to that point.
I applaud Ms Weiner for working with main characters that have physical flaws and seeing those characters "win" in the end. She tries very hard to have Ruth's story, as Ruth writes it for her TV, echo parts of Ruth's real life. Ruth's ability to stick to her guns and get what she wants in the end makes for a perfect story.
A great summer beach read.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
#50BookPledge Book 40 Ecoholic Body
Ecoholic Body: Your Ultimate Earth Friendly Guide to Living Healthy and Looking Good by Adria Vasil from Random House Canada 2012
Love all of the Ecoholic books and this one is no exception. I am always looking for ways to tweak things in my life so that we as a family are encountering fewer man-made products and Adria's books provide the answers I'm looking for. Ecoholic Body is a great book focused mainly on the body, inside and out. Granted it took me a couple of months to read the entire book it will now become a reference and has already provided some information on Sunscreen for my daughter and asthma therapy for my mom.
Admittedly I'm not as "Green" as I would like to be and therefore far from as "Green" as Adria is, this book doesn't necessarily make me feel bad but rather educates. I've always been weary of what I'm giving my daughter but never consciously considered myself. This statement is in keeping with Adria's comment that new parents are more eco conscious then many others.
As I said I loved this book, will be keeping it as a reference and if you are looking for a Canadian Resource for living a more Eco friendly lifestyle then this book is for you.
Thanks Adria!
Love all of the Ecoholic books and this one is no exception. I am always looking for ways to tweak things in my life so that we as a family are encountering fewer man-made products and Adria's books provide the answers I'm looking for. Ecoholic Body is a great book focused mainly on the body, inside and out. Granted it took me a couple of months to read the entire book it will now become a reference and has already provided some information on Sunscreen for my daughter and asthma therapy for my mom.
Admittedly I'm not as "Green" as I would like to be and therefore far from as "Green" as Adria is, this book doesn't necessarily make me feel bad but rather educates. I've always been weary of what I'm giving my daughter but never consciously considered myself. This statement is in keeping with Adria's comment that new parents are more eco conscious then many others.
As I said I loved this book, will be keeping it as a reference and if you are looking for a Canadian Resource for living a more Eco friendly lifestyle then this book is for you.
Thanks Adria!
#50BookPledge Book 39 Confined Space
Confined Space by Deryn Collier from Simon and Schuster 2012
Wow talk about using metaphors! Confined Space is filled with them starting with the title. These metaphors have created a highly layered and intriguing book. I especially enjoyed how Deryn parallels the activities in the mystery with the life cycle of the inconspicuous tomato.
Deryn's characters have many layers making for several well developed main and secondary characters however some of the more minor characters are extraneous to the story. I also had a hard time dealing with the secondary story from Berm's life as a soldier and the court marshal.
Deryn obviously did a great deal of research while writing Confined Space creating a mystery that you don't want to put down. I'm pretty sure you'll be surprised by the ending of the novel because at least for me the ultimate villain was completely unexpected.
Wow talk about using metaphors! Confined Space is filled with them starting with the title. These metaphors have created a highly layered and intriguing book. I especially enjoyed how Deryn parallels the activities in the mystery with the life cycle of the inconspicuous tomato.
Deryn's characters have many layers making for several well developed main and secondary characters however some of the more minor characters are extraneous to the story. I also had a hard time dealing with the secondary story from Berm's life as a soldier and the court marshal.
Deryn obviously did a great deal of research while writing Confined Space creating a mystery that you don't want to put down. I'm pretty sure you'll be surprised by the ending of the novel because at least for me the ultimate villain was completely unexpected.
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