May Reading

Well, this month I may not have read as many PAGES as I had hoped but I definitely have been able to get through a number of books. The first series I read, I mainly read because Hyrum has been begging me to read them. I would say they are about the easiest books but they are really cute. I especially loved book 4 which sadly has no part in the movie, although it supposedly covers all 5 books. :(

The Spiderwick Chronicles--
The Field Guide - pgs. 109
The Seeing Stone - pgs. 110
Lucinda's Secret - pgs. 111
The Ironwood Tree - pgs. 110
The Wrath of Mulgarath - pgs. 143

**Obviously the books are far better and far more detailed than the movie, and I always have sort of liked the movie but felt something lacking. Now that I've read the books, I finally get what is lacking. Yes, you have to change a movie to condense for time and to place on the big screen, but it always annoys the heck out of me when they change the most absurd things. Or when they leave the best parts out just to make a part that was pretty mundane in the book far more exciting on screen. I love movies of books, but most of the time I have to come to the conclusion that the people that convert these books to the screen are some of the most absurd people who have either never read the book(s) or do not understand them in the least.

The next series has always been near and dear to my heart. I've been in love and awe of L.M. Montgomery since I was a very little girl, but the last time I read an Anne book I was 9 years old. I can tell you, that these books are one of those that to read as a young child fills you with infinite dreams and as an adult reminds you of those splendid times that one is all too likely to push to the back of ones' mind behind all those "adult responsibilities" and also can lend clarity to how important the remembrance of those dreams can be for ones true happiness.

Anne of Green Gables - pgs. 309
Anne of Avonlea - pgs. 282
Anne of the Island - pgs. 244
Anne of Windy Poplars - pgs. 258
Anne's House of Dreams - pgs. 230
Anne of Ingleside - pgs. 277
Rainbow Valley - pgs. 225
Rilla of Ingleside - pgs. 277

** See above comments about movies, although I like these movies better than the Spiderwick ones, except the Continuing Story which has no basis at all in the books. However, with these I can see these movies in their own light better. I see them as inspired by the books not the book put to a movie, and to truly understand that you would have to read the books!! Which I would encourage anyone who is a dreamer, anyone who wishes they lived in a time when their children were safe to walk down the street and everyone understood what "neighbor" really meant. Ah, to have that sense of community now a days is one of my greatest dreams and wishes, but I fear that our modern world has stolen that one from us all. It is one of the saddest things.

Total for the Month of May: 2,685
Total for the year 2009: 15,654

Sculpy Frogs and Clean Rooms

Last night was Hyrum's Celebration of Learning, which simply means- an exhibition to show what he's been working on lately, or at least his "expedition". His school has "expeditions" that they focus on. His first was Trees, then Native American Holidays, Frogs, and last will be Water. The Holiday and Water ones are accelerated, which simply means, they cover those fast. The other two, months are spent on them.

Here's Hyrum's sculpy frog. His group worked on the Goliath Frog. Ask him any question about it and he would most likely know the answer!! He's so proud of his work. We are very proud of him.
With his group's diarramma.

Now, this next part doesn't have to do with school. Perhaps not to many people know considering the condition of my house, but I hate mess!! I wouldn't call myself a neat freak because I live behind enemy lines when it comes to keeping my house clean. However, it seems that something is finally rubbing off on one of the kids. I told them to go and clean their rooms; well, Hyrum's you still can't walk in, and this is what Emma did to her's. She did it all by herself.
She has a place for her animals, they must be lined up a certain way and her blankets must be folded at the end of the bed. She did this folding. I was so proud!!

Morgan's Baby Shower

Yup, I'm a total bum when it comes to blogging lately. I apologize. A few weeks ago, I got to go to my sister-in-law's baby shower. I love being an Aunt, and now I have to live vicariously through my sister's-in-law because Joe and I aren't planning on having any more little ones. Anyway. . .

Seems I had a talent for catching Morgan with the best faces, and so although some may embarrass her, we can all go past that and just pay attention to the fact that this girl cleaned up, or rather the little one did. He got so many clothes that he won't ever have to wear the same outfit twice.

And he got SOCKS!! This is funny via a family story, that I won't go into, but let's just say that getting socks was EXTREMELY exciting!!
This little jacket was knitted by Jenny (Joe's sister), she made one for Dan when he was born too. It's beautiful.
And a hat to match!
Morgan opening my gift. I made them two blankets, mittens/booties, a hat, and a washcloth. I made two blankets because I made the blue one first. When I was all done, I looked at it and went "oh no!!" You see Morgan and Geoff are diehard Utah fans and I had made them a blue blanket!! Not that they really cared, afterall they are having a boy, but I needed to make them something that wasn't blue, so a green one they got. I would have made a red one, but they didn't have any nice red yarn that was soft, so green was the best I could do.
The loot.

Anyway, it was fun to be there with her. She's definitely a pretty pregnant lady. I am so excited for both of them to welcome their new addition soon and to be an aunt again. Plus, it got me out of an awards ceremony for the military. Although, according to Joe, that turned out to not be as bad as both of us had thought it would be. Oh well. I had fun and at least he wasn't miserable.

Porter's New Do

Today was Porter's turn getting his haircut. He was so good and Mom was so proud.
It spikes up front so he can be like his big brother.
The only problem is that my big baby looks like a big boy now. I think he's cute and it really turned out great. Best of all, he loves it.

Hyrum's New Do

Hyrum's hair was getting way too think and growing a tail and since he didn't want Mom to shave his head again, he got to pick his own do this time around.
He chose Spiky hair. He wanted to be able to spike it up front.
It's too cute. But I had to buy "hair glue" as the stylist called it, because Hyrum's hair is disgustingly think and coarse (if you've never touched it, I can't even begin to get across just how think his hair is!!) But, it really did turn out great!! I think it makes him look older. His dad just laughed at him, because it was so different then how we are used to seeing Hyrum. Mom says Dad's a dork. Anyway, next week it's Porter's turn, and mom is hoping for her little hedgehog's hair to come out nice and spiky too.

The Merkley's Enter the Wii Generation

So last month we invested in a Wii. We figured, it would be great family time and we've been right so far. I have another video of Joe playing but he won't let me put it up. Dork. Anyway. Other than Hyrum punching his siblings a couple of times while boxing, it's been all fun (actually he got Emma the other day and she still has a black eye). Hyrum's a bit nuts when it comes to boxing, but it sure is cute. Emma is hillarious to watch golf. They all love it!! And so do the parents. It's definitely fun and relaxing.