More from Bode

We're in the kitchen and the kids want a treat.

Me: Fruit is a natural treat.

Bode: Because it has no hydrated sugar.

This made me laugh because the wording is off, but you can tell he's paying attention to some of the healthy things I say. Too cute!

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I notice Bode has been very quiet and find him sitting in a chair in our back room.

Me: Bode, what are you doing?

Bode: I'm just trying to stare off into space.

Haha, that was an honest answer.

Jenny's 2011 Fun Read Wrap-Up

During 2011, my love for reading was rejuvenated. My family had been encouraging me to find a hobby, and so I did (although now they may regret the suggestion, LOL). With the help of some fellow book-lovers, I had a seemingly-endless supply of well-recommended books. Now mind you, these are just pure fun-reading, free-time books, nothing to do with parenting or homeschooling.

In 2011, I was like a kid in a candy store, just grabbing whatever caught my eye, predominantly in the young adult genre. Some books were better than others, and I'm beginning to discern which books draw me more than others, which books are more appropriate for my preference and discretion levels, and which books just aren't for me.

Below are the books I read in 2011, starting with the most recent and ending with what I started the year with. I've starred books that I found to be particular standouts, some of which have become favorites.

*98. Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

97. Holes by Louis Sachar

*96. Legend by Marie Lu

*95. So Over My Head by Jenny B. Jones

*94. Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

*93. I'm So Sure by Jenny B. Jones

*92. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

91. All I Want For Christmas Is You by Lisa Mondello

*90. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

*89. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

88. Possess by Grethen McNeil

87. Enclave by Ann Aguirre

*86. Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

*85. Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

*84. Touch by Jus Accardo

83. A Map of the Known World by Lisa Ann Sandell

82. Fateful by Claudia Gray

81. Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

80. Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

79. Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

78. Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

*77. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

*76. There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

75. Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

*74. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

73. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

72. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

71. Oh.My.Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

*70. So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones

69. Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

68. Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

67. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

*66. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

*65. Blood Red Road by Moira Young

64. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

63. Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

62. Shift by Jeri Ready-Smith

*61. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

60. Wildefire by Karsten Knight

59. Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs

58. Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

*57. Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan

56. Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

*55. We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

*54. It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

53. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

52. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

51. Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

50. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

*49. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

48. Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

47. Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst

46. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

45. Forgotten by Cat Patrick

*44. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

*43. Supernaturally by Kiersten White

*42. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

*41. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

*40. Die for Me by Amy Plum

39. Gone by Lisa McMann

38. Fade by Lisa McMann

37. Wake by Lisa McMann

36. Shade by Jeri Ready-Smith

35. Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

34. Everlasting by Angie Frazier

33. Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

*32. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

*31. Divergent by Veronica Roth

30. Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

29. Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

*28. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

27. Illyria by Elizabeth Hand

*26. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

25. A Room with a View by E.M. Forster

24. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

*23. Heist Society by Ally Carter

22. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

21. Shiver by Maggie Steifvater

20. Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

*19. Hourglass by Myra McEntire

18. Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

*17. Gregor & the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins

16. Gregor & the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins

15. Gregor & the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins

14. Gregor & the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins

*13. Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

*12. Into the Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix

11. Storm Warning by Linda Sue Park

10. The Emperor's Code by Gordon Korman

9. The Viper's Nest by Peter Lerangis

*8. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

7. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

*6. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

5. The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

4. To the Nines by Janet Evanovich

*3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

*2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

*1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I'm looking forward to exploring more books in 2012 :)

Bode Kisses

My Bode is definitely learning how to work the system:

Bode: Mom, can I play on the computer?

Me: Well, I don't know.

Bode: How about if I give you a kiss?

**Who could say no to that?! Of course, I let him play, but after two kisses :)

Christmas Tree Decorating

This year we let the kids decorate the tree on their own. Outside of me hanging a few of the more fragile ornaments and helping Ian with the star, the boys hung them all by themselves. I tried to encourage them to not put everything on the lower-hanging branches and not bunch them together too much, but otherwise they directed themselves. It was cute to watch them eagerly place everything. At first I'd planned on rearranging the ornaments after they went to bed so things would be more evenly spaced out. After further reflection, we decided to leave it as is. The boys did a great job and I think their tree is perfect the way it is. It's the so-called imperfections that make our tree that much more special and perfect for us. The tree is also heavy in Alice in Wonderland decorations, which is fun for me :)

Here are the boys hard at work:

Our cute boys and our finished tree (except we forgot to turn the lights on):

Merry Christmas to all!

Stiefvater Book Signing

I just realized that I never posted pictures from this amazing book signing that Ian and I attended on October 21st. Maggie Steifvater is an amazing writer. I've read all of her books except the newest one, which is waiting for me on my bookshelf (can't wait to get to it).

I've read and own: Lament, Ballad, Shiver, Linger, and Forever.

I own and will read soon: Scorpio Races

She's not only a great writer, but also a great speaker. She kept us thoroughly entertained with her energy and enthusiasm. She also gave great writing tips which Ian wrote down for future reference. Even though Ian hasn't read any of her books, he was very inspired by her as a speaker giving vision to future writers. Ian is my new book signing partner and wants to attend them all with me. It's fun to have a partner in crime :)



Maggie thoroughly entertaining us :)

Maggie and Me

Can't wait to read it! (check out the horse doodle)



More books signed :)



Ian's list of writing tips from Maggie

Bode's Bathroom Quotes

As we're in the bathroom at Knott's Berry Farm...


Bode: Mom, I'm glad I'm a boy.

Me: Why?

Bode: Because I have a penis.

Me: Okay. Why's that?

Bode: Because it's more easier to pee.


(a very wise and practical child, lol)

Colorful conversation

I overheard part of this conversation that Ian & Cole were having:

Cole: Ian, do you think I'm pasty?

Ian: No, I think you're more pink.


(hehe, silly boys)