December Book Haul

 December was a HUGE book haul. 

Overall, 22 books joined our collection. 

First, Abi's books: 

Abigail got the cool My Little Pony Art book from her Aunt Melinda for Christmas, the Littlest Pet Shop Graphic Novel for an advent activity, and the two My Little Pony books for Christmas. 

Maddy's books:

 

Maddy got the Barbie book for an advent activity, the Snowmen All Year for Christmas from her school teacher, The Berenstain Bear books and Shopkins book for Christmas. 

Family books: 

 

This Christmas Carols piano book was our family book opened on December first.

 

The Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol pop up book was our family book opened on Christmas Eve. For a review of it check out Scones and Crackers! We loved it. 

 

The Berenstain Bears Country Cookbook was a family book we opened on Christmas Day. 

 My books: 

I opened the Nightingale by Kristin Hannah during our book exchange at Book Club. 

I got two coloring books for Christmas this year: The Harry Potter coloring book and an Owl coloring book from my sister in law Melinda. 

My sister in law Karen gave me The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood for Christmas. 

 

I gave Doug Illuminae for his Christmas Eve book (but really it is for me because he doesn't read much. Ha)

 

I opened The Hundred Dresses with my pajamas on Christmas Eve. 

 

And for Christmas I received Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein, 

 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, illustrated edition, 

 

And The Fairy Tale Girl by Susan Branch. 

 

It was such a fun month getting so many new books!

I can't wait to talk more books this week with my 2015 Wrap Up! Stay tuned!

September Book Haul

September's book haul is very small.

I pre-ordered The Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven by Brandon Mull.
It is fantastic. It is full of drawings of all of the places, magical items, and creatures you encounter in the Fablehaven series. I will do a review of it after I read through it.

I really didn't have a plan to buy The Arctic Code by Matthew Kirby yet because I still haven't read the first in the series that is sitting on my shelf, but when my mom and I were at Salt Lake City Comic Con we were walking along and looked over and saw Matthew Kirby signing books with no line. I didn't have any of my books with me for him to sign so I decided to buy the new one. Chances are I will like it. It was really fun to meet him and I am excited to read the series... eventually. I will get back to you when I do!

August 2015 Book Haul

August wasn't a huge month for buying books. 

In fact, only one of the books in that picture is one that I bought. 

I ordered All I know Now by Carrie Hope Fletcher from Amazon. 

You can find a review of that book on Scones and Crackers here.

Every year our library does a summer reading program. If you finish the challenges on the program you get to pick out a free book. 

The other three books are the ones we picked out for our free books. 

Abi picked the Lego Friends Perfect Pals book and really likes it. Yes, it is way under her reading level but she still enjoys all kinds of books (which I think is good). 

Madeline picked out the Lalaloopsy Harmony Takes the Stage book. She also really likes it. 

The selection for adults was seriously lacking. The choices were mostly westerns and romances. So I took a look at the young adult choices and they let me pick from them. All of the books I was interested in I already owned except for Looking For Alaska by John Green. I am not a huge John Green fan but since I was interested in reading this book, I thought I might as well grab it for free and then I can pass it along if I don't enjoy it. 

The only other books we got in August were the two books that each girl got on their back to school eve. And those were actually bought earlier in the summer and just given on those nights. If you are interested in seeing which books they received, check out their Back to School eve posts here and here.

May Book Haul

May was a BIG book month for me! 

I had a few Amazon orders come in including this Peter Rabbit themed puzzle that I can't wait to do with the kids during our Beatrix Potter week this summer!

I used a bunch of points I have accumulated on Scholastic to get these for free. 

And Scholastic had their twice yearly warehouse sale near us a couple of weeks ago.
I was able to get all of this for under $40.
Love those sales!
We are ready for our Geography summer and summer reading!

Stay tuned later this week for a post about reading with kids!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was really nice! 

The girls made me lots of cards leading up the day that were hung around the house. 

Abi brought this one home from school. 

My mom made me the really cute painted flower in the picture that has a special place on one of my bookshelves now. 

Abi made the little green/blue vase at school which also is on a bookshelf. 

I got three books I have been wanting to read. 

The girls both gave me cards they made at church. 

I got the cookie at church as well but I let the girls share it. 

And, since I have really been wanting some new luggage for my trip to Europe, I picked this one up for a sweet deal and then justified it by turning it into a Mother's day gift. :)

I have never bought new luggage for myself. Everything we have was Doug's save one small carry on I got for Christmas many, many years ago when I worked at IHC. 

In fact, the only luggage we have bought is Abi's Sofia the first suitcase. 

So I am super excited to actually have a piece of regular sized luggage that is brand new and beautiful. 

I love the yellow and blue pattern!

It was a really nice day. It started with church and then I spent most of the day reading.