Owl at Home

I enrolled Ben in the summer reading program at the local library this summer. Once he reads 200 minutes he gets a prize. Anyway, I've been having lots of fun reading to him at night before bed. I found the book Owl at Home at the D.I for .50 cents (along with some other books). This has to be my favorite children book right now. It is so funny and cute!

Ben will get his prize this week on Thursday. He get's a beta fish. We'll see how long it stays alive.

The Total Money Makeover

I was introduced to Dave Ramsey's books through a couple of ways: Blogs, billboard ad's, and from a co-worker of Matt's. He has helped thousands of people get out of debt through his Total Money Makeover.

I am still reading this book but what I have read so far has been great! This nice thing is for us we are already debt free (mind the house) but I still like reading what Dave has to say about saving, going without credit cards, paying off your house and car loans early. If we go into debt we usually end up owing ourselves money back. I'd rather owe myself than some selfish lender.

Debt scares me! I hate it. I have seen too many people trapped by it. Giving their money away to greedy banks. Paying far more than what the item they bought is even worth. Going without for a while while you save is the best way to do it! We have done this as a family. We have put LOTS of things off waiting until we have the money to do. We are not perfect we need to do better ourselves at little things. This book is a great motivational reading!

Charles Dickens-Bleak House

 

I just finished reading Charles Dickens Bleak House. I first saw the BBC production of it on PBS nearly 3 years ago and loved it. Here is a description of the book.

Opening in the swirling mists of London, the novel revolves around a court case that has dragged on for decades—the infamous Jarndyce and Jarndyce lawsuit, in which an inheritance is gradually devoured by legal costs. As Dickens takes us through the case’s history, he presents a cast of characters as idiosyncratic and memorable as any he ever created, including the beautiful Lady Dedlock, who hides a shocking secret about an illegitimate child and a long-lost love; Mr. Bucket, one of the first detectives to appear in English fiction; and the hilarious Mrs. Jellyby, whose endless philanthropy has left her utterly unconcerned about her own family.

As a question of inheritance becomes a question of murder, the novel’s heroine, Esther Summerson, struggles to discover the truth about her birth and her unknown mother’s tragic life. Can the resilience of her love transform a bleak house? And—more devastatingly—will justice prevail?

  

Matthew and I bought the movie this month and have already watched it. It is my favorite movie right now of this genre. I can't wait to watch it again. I recommend the book and movie. The acting in the movie is wonderful! I love all the characters!

My next book to read is John Adams by David McCullough.

Ode to Grover

 

 I love Grover, it's no secret. We got Ben this book for his Birthday. Do you remember reading this as a young child? I do. This edition has pop-ups in it. It is so cute.  I can't wait to read to Ben and Hannah. Also, Sesame street is coming out with ebooks. Check it out: Sesame ebooks.

The Grouchies

Benjamin got this book for Christmas from his Grandma Snow. Whenever he looks at it he frowns and says 'Grandma Snow'. Well, while we were in Iowa, whenever Ben was being grouchy Grandma would put on a frown face. Hence 'Grandma Snow'

This book is really cute, and is really great for teaching kids to not be grouchy. It was written by the Librarian in Burlington Iowa where by husband is from.