The Last of my Summer Reading: Books 21-22 (and 19 1/2)

Well, the summer is over now that school has started, except that I think our hottest days have been after school started. These are the last two books I read before


 21. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: This was such an interesting perspective of a nine year old trying to understand what was going on in WW2. So much he did not understand but followed along because it was what he was told to do. The ending of the book was so shocking I kept thinking about it for days and days, still in utter disbelief. I am glad to have discovered John Boyne this summer! I look forward to reading more by him!

 22. Fault in Our Stars: This was an good last read of the summer. I have to admit, I did often feel like I was back in seventh grade reading Lurlene McDaniels and crying during class! ;)


  19 1/2: The Julian Chapter: Well, I guess summer is over, but this was a good saturday morning read (Alex woke up way too early!) so thought I would add it. It is written from the perspective of the bully in the book Wonder. I'm glad Palacio wrote this because there are always two sides to every story. And while Julian was a big bully, it is a side that kids need to hear. It's about learning from your mistakes and not letting them define you. It's about asking for forgiveness. Reading  the Julian Chapter made me want to read Wonder all over again, they are both must-reads!

Oh, Sweet Liam!

Oh Liam!

This little man brings so much joy to our life! I have never met such a happy and sweet kid! 

Somehow, this summer, he stopped being a baby and started being a little boy. 

I love his sense of humor. He knows he is funny. 

I also love that fact that he will eat anything I put in front of him

(his brother is not so accommodating)!

I love his laid back attitude towards EVERYTHING! This boy knows how to chill! :)

(he also climbs on every! Its a little nerve-wracking sometimes!)

I love his hilarious faces when he meets a new adventure.

 Currently his favorite sound is a roar.

Playing dinosaurs? "rrrrroar"

Playing trains? "roarrrrr"

All animals? "rroarrrr"

He makes sure we hear him!

 He is all boy! He loves to be outside and wants to be out there even more than Alex some times! He gets about three times as dirty as Alex, so most of the time we go straight to the bath. 

I think he is part fish, so he really doesn't mind.

One of my favorite things is seeing how much Liam loves and looks up to his brother. 

I can imagine the mischief they will get in to as they both get older. (Help me now!)

I love hearing them laugh. Watching them give each other good night hugs and kisses is one of the sweetest things in the world. 

I am pretty sure Liam tries to say the word "Alex". Its more of an "Ack" but I think it means Alex. :)

 Today when Liam woke up from his nap, Alex was a little grumpy so they were both sitting on my lap. Liam was so concerned about how Alex was feeling. He reached over and started patting Alex's back and looking into his eyes.

It was so precious. I'm glad they love each other.

I can't wait to see how he will keep growing this year!

(I could go on and on, but I will stop for now! ;) )

Books 18-20!

 18. eleanor & park: The little blurb on the inside cover almost made me not want to read it... "smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try." I didn't want to read a book about two people falling in love and then breaking up! Depressing! But, as the end came closer I changed my mind. It was a good book. :) I'm hoping for a sequel though.

  19. Wonder: This book was beautiful. I could not put it down. There were so many good lines in this book, but one of my favorite was “Be Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed." A must read!

 20. Bossypants: I needed a funny book to read and this was perfect. Tina Fey is hilarious! I started reading it when I was rocking Liam back to sleep one night, but I had to stop because I kept shaking him awake with my laughing! ;)

Things Alex says...

When I am Alex I have one A, When I am Alexander I have two As.

[in a robot voice] I am a robot, I do not understand. (after we had told him to do something, that he probably does not want to do)

The pterodactyl is touching it, not my fingers. (after I told him not to touch my papers)

(at the atm) Good job daddy! Is candy going to come out?
Me: No money comes out.
alex: you mean cash. cash is not money.

I love you Wiam. (Those sweet, tender moments are almost inevitably followed by a loud cry from "Wiam" when Alex's love turns a little too fierce.)

to will: I need to take my calendar to school. Tell my teacher to see if it is okay to take to school.
to me: I have my phone in my packpack. Tell my teacher if its okay so I can call you at school.

This boy is beyond excited to start school in a couple of weeks! He is only going for 2 half days a week to preschool, but I think he is ready for it! I am glad he is excited. If I ever go to school we have to talk about if I am going to my school or his school! [And yes, I know his backpack is huge (and heavy filled with all his toys) but it was on sale for $5 at target! ;) ]

What a summer it has been. The threes are, well, quite interesting to say the least. Between his fits of insanity we have so many wonderful moments. Life is all about dinosaurs, super heroes, pixar, dinosaurs books, trains, and batman. (yes, i know he is a super hero, but he is pretty much in his own category.)
We have had so many great adventures this summer, and I will definitely miss him this next school year, but I can't wait to watch him keep growing! And humoring us with his funny words.

Will and I look at each other all the time and wonder there this comes from. Of course then I see Will I remember...
(Yes, Alex definitely has his father's humor! ;) )