Daddy's Last Week of Summer Extravaganza

So unfortunately this past week was my last week of summer break. I was in a slight depression because after teaching summer school I didn't feel like I had relaxed enough. I know, I shouldn't complain...most of the working world would love to have several weeks off in the summer, so I will bite my tongue. However, since it was my last week of not having to go to work, James and I sat down and decided to plan out a week full of activities that we could enjoy together-just the boys (Owen was included). This allowed me to spend some quality time with my two favorite guys and gave Kristine a nice break so she could pursue all of her sewing adventures and go and look for fabric without two hooligans running and hiding under the bolts of fabric. So here is a report of our adventures.



Monday: We launched our Week of Fun at Chuck E. Cheese. I know, I know, Chuck E. Cheese can be kind of ridiculous and I still am slightly scared of the jerky robotics of the Chuck E. Cheese band, but we love to go--if only to play skeeball, the basketball games, and the new Deal or No Deal game. We had quite a bit of success and the boys were rewarded with some cheap plastic toys, most definitely made in China, that broke or were lost within an hour of being acquired. We finished the night by going to one of our favorite restaurants, Chicken Bonz.



Tuesday: Today we first went to the children's museum here in Eugene called The Science Factory. We played music on all of their new "Noise!" exhibits, screamed as loud as we could in the decibel measuring chamber, and the boys put on a fantastic puppet show. Then we extended our educational fun by going to the library. This is a weekly event anyway, but it isn't often that I get to take the boys. We had a great time looking through the books. Since James is becoming such a great reader, it is fun to try to find easy chapter books that he finds interesting. Owen mostly runs around, not listening, but the minute you hand him a book, he plops down right on the floor and reads. Pretty adorable. I also picked up a book that they had on hold for me, The Candy Shop War (see previous post), and it was a fun read.



Wednesday: We decided to have a movie night party. We went to the store and purchased our favorite treats and then put out a blanket on our floor and watched the movie of their choice, Alvin and the Chipmunks. We devoured licorice, popcorn, sour patch kids, and airheads as we watched those slightly obnoxious chipmunks learn the valuable life lesson that fame and fortune don't necessarily bring happiness....I am sure that is what James and Owen got out of it, not the subtle potty humor and annoying singing.

Thursday: We had planned to go camping, but had to postpone due to some much needed summer rain.



Friday/Saturday: James, Owen, and I took off for the Oregon coast to enjoy some quality camping time. We really wanted to stay at our favorite campground at Carter Lake, but it was full, so we ended up just north at the Lagoon Campground which is part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. It was a nice place as well. We enjoyed hiking, eating s'mores and hotdogs, collecting shells, birdwatching, and swimming.

I must admit that when I return to work tomorrow morning I will be going through withdrawals of being with my boys. I admit that there are many times when I have run out of patience and get tired of them ignoring me and constantly annoying one another and pushing each other's buttons; but for the most part they are the most brilliant, funny, wonderful people and I am so happy to be their dad.

Long Time Due

This summer I have been spending much of my time reading the new list of books for our Battle of the Books 2008-2009. So far I have been very impressed and wanted to share a few books that I have found especially great.

FABLEHAVEN by Brandon Mull



This is the first book in a series (three have been published, two will come out in the next few years). It is an incredible book full of imagination and adventure. It follows a brother and sister who discover that their grandparents live on a magical preserve. The story is somewhat like Harry Potter in the fact that it contains these fantastical creatures, but somehow it remains relateable and the characters are extraordinary. It might help that the author is a graduate of BYU :) The other two books are also outstanding and it is a great series that I would recommend to anyone. The author has another book out, THE CANDY SHOP WAR, which I am currently reading which is also excellent. Good stuff.

THE PENDERWICKS ON GARDAM STREET by Jeanne Birdsall



This is the second book about the Penderwick family. The first won the National Book Award for youth fiction. I loved both books. They are pretty simple books that are reminiscent of The Boxcar Children series or television shows from the 50s or 60s like The Donna Reed Show or Leave it to Beaver. It centers around a family of four girls, whose mother died of cancer, and their adventures. They are quick reads, well-written, and a beautiful portrayal of a close family that rely on each other. I really enjoyed the first book, but think that the second might be even better.

There is nothing better than having a great book to read. So take advantage of these last few weeks of warmth and sun and dive into a great book, I know that I will. If you have read something great this summer, leave a comment and I would love to check it out.