Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Spartan Frost - Jennifer Estep

Why is Gwen on the cover of
Spartan Frost?
This is Logan's book.
Ok, not quite a book,
a novella.
But it's his.
We need a picture of him.

But I digress.
Spartan Frost is book 4.5
in the Mythos Academy series.
It takes place shortly after
Logan has left Mythos Academy
and suffers nightmares from what happened.

This is his story.
It's his POV.
We see his fears,
and begin to understand who he is
a little better.

And it has a great lead in
to Midnight Frost
(where Gwen is once again a brunette).


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

The Sea of Monsters - Rick Riordan

I really enjoyed the first
Percy Jackson book
and it was such an easy read,
I thought I'd read another one
before I begin my summer courses.
Hmmm...
one of my courses is on
children's literature.
Perhaps this was research?

Well,
if I loved the first one,
I loved the second one.
I love how there's no fluff.
You get right into the story
and a fabulous new character.

Here,
Percy has,
almost,
survived his new school
without incident.
Almost.
The last day of school,
brings on a new adventure.
Camp Half-Blood has been attacked.
Zeus' daughter,
now a pine tree
that protects the camp
has been poisoned.
Only the Golden Fleece
can save the camp.
And while it should be up to
Percy to save the day,
Clarisse,
daughter of Ares,
is chosen.
But Percy is determined to save his friend,
Grover.
So, a new adventure is in store
for our favourite
half god.





The Happiness Project - Week 16

We're home!!!
Well Ethan and I are.
We arrived Sunday night.
We have a tad bit of jet-lag.
But we're home!!!!

And how does one celebrate
being back in Canada?
With Starbucks,
of course!


Happiness is being home
for the summer.





































Saturday, June 22, 2013

The Lightening Thief - Rick Riordan

For some time now,
my teaching partner has been talking about
a series her younger daughter loves.
She could never remember the name,
only that it was about Greek Gods.
Last week, 
she and another mate were chatting about the series.
My other mate
also could not remember the title
but recalled it was about the 
son of Poseidon.
So, of course,
I googled it,
and just had to read the first one.

The story is about
Percy Jackson,
who keeps getting kicked out of boarding schools,
has been labelled a trouble maker
and has all kinds of weird things happen to him.

One summer day,
he's going away with his mom,
and is attacked by a Minotaur.
He then finds himself at Camp Half-Blood
where he learns he is the son of Poseidon.
He is also sent on a quest,
to stop the impending war
between Poseidon and Zeus.

I can see why this book is loved by
kids.
I loved it.
I can't wait to read more.


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Happiness Project - Week 15

I know, I know
another Saturday Soccer
post.
But I promise,
this will be the last.
I'm just so proud.


Last year,
Ethan didn't want to join the
Saturday Soccer League.
He's not very coordinated,
and was worried he'd be teased.
This year,
he developed the confidence to join.


He still skipped a lot.
And often was afraid he'd get hit,
but he did try.


Saturday,
his team made it to the semi-finals.


They won,
and made it into the finals.


This is a team
we've played twice before,
and lost to both times.
So some strategical planning
was needed.


And guess what???
Sawpower won!!!!
Ethan was super chuffed.
This is his first medal and trophy.


Happiness is a successful
Saturday Soccer season.

 



































Monday, June 17, 2013

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

Oh my..
Where do I begin?

I cannot decide
if I really liked this book
or really hates it.
Perhaps I loved
how much I didn't like it.

Does that make sense?

Gone Girl
is the story of Amy and Nick.
On their 5th anniversary,
Amy disappears.
The first third of the book
bounces back and forth
between Nick's views on the disappearance
and Amy's diary.
Nick is suspected of killing Amy.

Then we get to part two
where we learn that
Amy is in fact,
alive
and has framed Nick
for her murder.
She's a psychopath!

Part three:
Amy doesn't like her situation.
Nick has "convinced" her 
he loves her,
so she comes back.
With a story of being kidnapped.
And now,
the two of them 
are living
miserably-ever-after.

Here's my thing,
the story itself was great.
But I like great characters.
And I didn't like either character.
Not even the
I-love-to-hate-them
feeling.

Which makes this one
a tough one to gage.


Father's Day Interview

For the last three years,
on Father's Day,
I ask Ethan a bunch of questions
about his dad.
You can see last year's
reponses here

Here's what Ethan had to say
this year.

What is something Daddy always says to you?
In the morning, he says
"How are you?"

What makes Daddy happy?
It's when I do a great job
at soccer.

What makes Daddy sad?
Is when Mommy and I fight.

How does Daddy make you laugh?
He makes me laugh when he acts
like a clown.
He trips over the soccer ball
and says 
"ta-da!"

What was Daddy like as a child?
He was smart,
and good at soccer.

How old is Daddy?
I can't remember,
40-something.

How tall is Daddy?
He's 29 feet!
(Apparently Daddy's a giraffe!)

What is his favourite thing to do?
Play soccer with me outside.

What does Daddy do when you are not around?
He goes to work
and he has a house with a swimming pool
so he goes swimming.

If Daddy becomes famous, what will it be for?
A striker in football.

What is Daddy really good at?
He is very good at the Wii.

What is Daddy not really good at?
Playing UNO.

What does Daddy do for his job?
He types on his computer.

What is Daddy's favourite food?
Pizza!

What makes you proud of Daddy?
He is so good at soccer.

If Daddy was a cartoon character, who would he be?
The dad of The Incredibles
because he is strong.

What do you and Daddy do together?
We play soccer.

How are you and Daddy the same?
We both like the Wii.

How are you and Daddy different?
He is older than me.

How do you know Daddy loves you?
He gives me higs and kisses.

Where is Daddy's favourite place to go?
Friday's Roast Beef House
is his favourite restaurant.

Happy Father's Day babe.
Love you to bits.




Tuesday, June 11, 2013

The Happiness Project - Week 14

Ethan is a July baby.
And for the last couple of years,
we have gone home to Canada
for his birthday.
Which means he misses out
on having a party with his 
school mates.

Now, 
June is also a busy month for me.
It's the end of the school year
and I'm writing reports.
Plus this year,
I'm also studying.
Planning a big party
is a bit hard.

Ethan really wanted a party
with his school mates.
So we agreed 
since he's turning 7,
he could invite 
7 mates.
We then decided to have it afterschool
on Friday.
School finished at 12:30 on Fridays.
So I took the 8 boys to Afrikolor
for pizza, ice cream and pottery.

We got there a little early,
so the kids got to bounce on the trampoline.


The pizza was fantastic.


There was lots of playing. 


But Afrikolor is about
the pottery.
I thought the kids would be given mugs to paint,
but nope,
they got to use the wheel!


Oh, and what would a party be
without cake?


Happiness is a pre-birthday
party.



































Sunday, June 9, 2013

Sports Day

Friday was Sports Day
at school
for the ELC - Grade 1s.
Ethan got to show off
his altheltic abilities.


Egg race with his eyes closed. 
Don't you just love the hand on the hip

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

The Happiness Project - Week 13

I am not a McDonald's person. 
I need that known.
However,
when we were in New York
McDonald's seemed to be the place
for us to grab a quick breakfast. 
And suddenly,
the Egg McMuffin
became my new friend.

Seriously.

I came back to Lusaka
wishing I could have an Egg McMuffin.
Sad,
I know.

But then,
one Friday,
I went to the Friday market
and guess what I found?


English Muffins!
Exciting right!

But here's the best part.
The english muffins are part
of Old MacDonald's Farm.
Yes,
that's right
MacDonald's!

is a project set up to look after
and support children
who have either lived 
on the streets
or are orphans.

Every Friday,
MacDonald's farm comes to school
and has wonderful baked goods.



All proceeds go to the farm 
and the kids.

Happiness is great baked goods
and a great cause.

































Monday, June 3, 2013

Rebel: The Sensitives Triology 2.5 - Dawn Rae Miller

I have report cards to write,
but they had to wait a day
while I was busy reading
Rebel.
It's a short story,
part of the Larkstorm triology
that I am loving.

Rebel
was great.
It takes place
at the same time as parts of 
Nightingale
but from the viewpoint of
Annalise.

Up to now,
Annalise has been a cold one.
Heartless.
As evil as Malin. 
But now...
well....
I'm not sure.

We learn about Annalise and her loveless
marriage.
We learn how she does have a heart
and it belongs to Oliver.
But is she a dark witch?
Or white?
Is she a Sensitive?
What is her plan?
And.....
is she responsible for Malin's death?

Yes, so many answers
and still so many questions.
I can't wait until Phoenix
is released!