Dragons of Wayward Crescent

I first saw this book in Barnes and Noble.  I was there to look at books for my 9 year old.  So I pulled a few off the shelf and started reading.  I didn't get much past the first page of the Spiderwick Chronicles.  I closed that and picked up Dragons of Wayward Crescent - Gruffen.  I could barely put it down.  It was clean and funny.  Interesting but not complicated.  My 9 year old is not into reading big novels.  It's not that he can't he just doesn't want to.  He likes the simple books.  I like books that aren't stupid and so much of the new literature out today for boys is just plain stupid.  I mean come on.... Captain Underpants!  Hope I don't offend anyone.  Anyway, there are 4 books in the Dragons of Wayward Crescent series and I hope the author will write more.  He writes more complicated and mature dragon books too so in his spare time he cranks out books like Gruffen, Gauge, Glade and Grabber.  These dragons are soooo cute and they help people too.  Our library system had the first book and I've requested the others.  The second one just came in.  Brand spanking new.  I'm pretty sure the 9 year old was the first one to read it.  I love our library system! 

A Wordy Wednesday

Instead of having only pictures today, I have only words.  The sun is shinning, the air is cool, the coffee is good and our school work is done for the day.  I'm sitting here at piano lessons enjoying some free time while someone else teaches my kids.  We got so much accomplished today and even squeezed in a science collage on the sun and we finished our fresco paintings.  On the drive over to piano lessons I listened to the boys discuss the most recent license plate from out of state that was spotted.  All summer they have been trying to spot them all.  We drive by truck stops and through parking lots keeping an eye out.  Seeing a Washington DC would be the grand prize.  I also listened to them talk about a map they were looking at. The oldest was pointing out how to travel through the different waters ways in the Seattle area.  During all this the 4 year old, soon to be 5 was singing his ABC's and making up silly verses to go with it.  I just drove in pure bliss that no one was fighting, or talking about Pokemon or Bionicle or using rude words.  My boys were being little gentlemen for a few minutes and I was one happy Mama.

First Piano Lesson

I remember when the oldest had his first piano lesson 2 1/2 years ago.  He was reluctant but instantly connected with his teacher and loved it.... for about 2 weeks.  Then it became a grind and tedious and a chore.  But he understands now that piano is as much a part of his schooling as math is.  So he does it. 

Yesterday the 7 year old had his first piano lesson and he loved it!  He instantly connected with his teacher and came home and practiced for 65 minutes.  Today he practiced again for that long.  He's so happy with himself and his ability to make music and that the piano is not just an instrument the oldest child gets to use.  He actually asked me if he could practice yesterday.  Oh my, yes child, when ever you like.  I wonder if he'll still be asking in 2 weeks.



First day at piano lesson. 



The Creek

We have a creek next to our house and this summer the boys finally got to swim in it.  They had been wanting to do this for a while but we needed to wait for the really hot part of summer when the creek is at its lowest.  So, this August we headed down to let them swim. 

Here's the 9 year old.

Here's the 7 year old.

The water is super cold but the boys loved it and got their fill.

During the winter rainy months and spring melt the water flows level with this big log behind Papa.  The boys know that this is a very dangerous area and can not be accessed without an adult.

Wikki Stix

Looking through Pokemon to find his next inspiration.

My oldest has been busy this last week creating with Wikki Stix in his free time.  I love these little sticks.  They don't make a mess and we've created quite a lot of things with them.  Last year during school we made trees and people in 3D and other pictures that were flat but interesting.  This year I'm not guarding them as closely as I did last year and the kids are free to make a "mess" with them.  I really like the Pokemon pictures that have been created here.

Wikki Stix Pokemon

Charmander

Rayquaza

Suicune