Friday Things #513
1. A glimpse of last Saturday morning (featuring our favorite pancakes!), which was a nice slow morning at home :)
2. Isabelle came home from school one day last week and scurried off to the playroom to do something. She had collected leaves at recess and asked her teacher for a bag so she could save them. She brought them home and then made me a bracelet with them, gluing them to a strip of construction paper she had cut and glued into a circle; she said she wanted to make me something for my birthday (it’s still a month away) but couldn’t wait to give it to me. Her sweetness and thoughtfulness just absolutely melted my heart ❤️
3. Joseph went on a field trip last week to a maple tree farm to watch how the trees are tapped and how the sap is turned into maple syrup. He loved it and I have to say, kids are such troopers – it was 40 degrees and poured the entire day, yet he came home all smiles, said it was great, and gave me all of the little fun facts he learned.
4. On that note, if your kids need waterproof boots, I highly recommend these… I bought them for him since they would be in the woods the whole day, and he said they were so warm, cozy, and comfy (and it’s very hard to get him shoes that feel comfortable!).
5. I finished my butterfly puzzle last weekend, but somehow there were two missing pieces 😭 I’m not sure if they fell and got lost (I did have to move my puzzle board a couple of times) but ugh such a disappointment. However, on to the next! I picked this one to do next; it was so timely given Joseph’s field trip last week! >> Maple Sugaring Time Puzzle
6. It’s been a while since I made it; I think I’m going to make a batch of baked oatmeal for breakfast next week.
7. Looking for some book recommendations for 9-year-old boys! Joseph has read The Hardy Boys and really liked it. He doesn’t seem as interested in graphic novels or fantasy-type books that are popular right now. He has read some of The Magic Treehouse books, but he tends to gravitate to nonfiction, books about sports, etc. Trying to figure out a good mix and some other ones for him to try that he might like.
8. I have found that if I just set out veggies, the kids will naturally grab them and eat them, but if I put them on their plates, they often get left behind. I grabbed this produce bin after seeing Paige talk about it on Instagram, and I love that I can put all of the prepped veggies in one bin and not have to take out multiple containers; so far, I love it! This past week, I used it for sliced cucumbers, baby carrots, and cherry tomatoes (each taking up about a third of the container).
9. We’re currently watching Monsieur Spade (on AcornTV); very good!
10. TGIF! This dog is the absolute snuggliest (this was the night I came back from NY earlier this month, I think she missed me) 🩷
Matt Christopher writes a fictional sports series.
I also loved Safe and all the other series by Harlen Coben and Mrs Siddhu. Also Boy Swallows Universe and Criminal Record. Making my way through Shining Girls right now…it’s a bit unusual.
Is Harry Potter too much fantasy for Joseph? I’m not a fantasy fan but when I wasted to read to a friend’s son before bed one night when I was visiting, I was immediately hooked. I’ve never watched the movies though.
My son also enjoyed the I Survived! series. Although fiction, he read Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Great Brain books by John D. Fitzgerald and liked those, as well as the (hysterical) Timmy Failure books by Stephan Pastis. I’ve also heard good things about the Little Britches books by Ralph Moody.
I love that you’re into puzzles! I picked it up during 2020. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and is so stimulating for the brain! I also found I enjoy listening to audio books and podcasts while puzzling, so good entertainment on many fronts!
Oh my gosh! You have the most beautiful family! I love how you and your husband have raised your children…the wonderful old-fashioned way! They love games, books, playing sports, riding bicycles, etc…all things magical! I don’t see a smart phone anywhere! This is how it used to be, and how it should be! Wonderful Michelle, truly wonderful! Love and many blessings to you and your family!
My son loved the “I Survived” book series. I couldn’t get them for him fast enough. :)
Get Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge for Joseph to read. He will love it. I read it as a young child. I kept some of my books but sadly could not keep all. Did not keep this one. I read all of the Heidi books. Heidi Grows Up and Heidi’s Children.
I love reading about your children. Have prayed for Dominic daily during his illness.
My husband wanted me to tell you “A Wrinkle in Time” was one of his favorite books growing up. He was so looking for to seeing the movie that came out a few years ago. He ended up not going because they had changed everything.
Power Forward
Wonder
Wishtree
Save Me A Seat
My son liked Tim Green’s books – mostly football and baseball stories.
I Survived, Who Would Win?, and Who Was are all nonfiction book series my son loved when he was nine/ten!
Yes, Gary Paulsen’s The Hatchet is great. My two boys (grown now) loved that book. How about Lemony Snickett and The Series of Unfortunate Events? 13 in the series. My son and I read those out loud to each other. I’m into puzzles as well. Check out the 500 piece puzzles from Galison on Amazon. They have fantastic pictures and the pieces fit beautifully. I have a Coney Island one coming tomorrow.
You have already been given a lot of great book options for Joseph but I didn’t see this one. As a retired school librarian, a lot of my nonfiction readers loved this series – Who Was? Series (it’s a series featuring significant historical figures, including artists, scientists, athletes and world leaders.) If he likes them, there are many in the series.
Oh my gosh! That is the worst: getting to the end of a puzzle to find out you’re missing a piece or 2!
The Famous Five series of books is also a good option
I wonder if the Tom Corbett space series is still in print. They were futuristic in the 1960s, but have probably been updated if they are still available. I read them, along with the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Trixie Belden. 8 to 14 years age range.
The Happy Hollisters was a series about a family and their travel adventures. Boys and girls both liked them.
Hi Michelle.
If you have a Buffalo puzzle with a missing piece(s), you can go to their website and fill out a form, etc. and then pick out a replacement puzzle. They cannot send you the exact same puzzle. I’ve done this a couple times with missing pieces from Buffalo puzzles.
Love reading “Friday Things!”
Just some book ideas for Joseph- Nate the Great detective series, Dolphin Diaries, Hank the Cow Dog series- one of my kids was really into WWII machinery and equipment but not sure of specific titles and not sure of age but loved The Ranger’s Apprentice series. Thanks for sharing your cute family and pictures!
For Joseph, take a look at books by Matt Christopher. He writes sports books – baseball, hockey, football. My son read them 20 years ago and enjoyed them. Quick reads. Ordering them for my grandson now !
Bev is right! I enjoyed these as a child (and I’m not even a boy!) Recommended :-)
I also have a reader who prefers nonfiction, she loves sports books and weather books but she is obsessed with the I Survived series. It’s fiction but with nonfiction information like the holocaust, floods, the titanic and others
Have your kids read the “I Survived…” books? Or grandsons gobbled them up. Great way to have them learn about history.
Check out “ Focus on the Family”. They have good wholesome books for all ages.
Our grandson loves the Adventures in Odyssey which are audio and also, books.
Every year, we order the Clubhouse magazine for him. It is a yrs subscription. There are puzzles, facts and stories. Both your sons would enjoy it. Our granddaughter loved them also. They are age appropriate as well.
My nine year old grandsons love The Academy Series by T.Z. Layton and also any of the sports related Matt Christopher books.
The Jack Stalwart series is great for young boys. Adventure, travel, education, mystery. Both my boys loved the whole series.
Try the ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN books
I recommend the Screech Owl series by Roy MacGregor. It is an older hockey theme mystery series from Canada with great reviews from Wayne Gretzky himself. My son enjoyed them.
What puzzle table do you have?
Hi Linda, I have this one: https://amzn.to/3IkkA9V. It does have legs, but I never use that option since I usually just have it on my dining room table. This version is less expensive and doesn’t have the legs: https://amzn.to/4cbnxrh. They are both made to hold up to 1,500 piece puzzles are 27×35 inches in size with 6 sorting drawers. I hope that helps!
Dan Gutman!!! 9 yo boys LOVE HIM!
My children loved Tales from Dust River Gulch by Tim Davis. 1936. For ages 9-12. Very humorous.
My nephew enjoyed the “I Survived” series of books when he was that age. https://www.amazon.com/NEW-SET-Survived-Complete-Books/dp/B08JGFX15Z
Yes, the “I Survived” bookwere ones that one of my kids really liked as well.
Also, I was going to
suggest, if you have a
public
library near you, the staff at the children’s desk, are great resources for
additional suggestions.
Your son might like Gary Paulsen. They’re not about sports or fantasy, but my students loved Hatchet and the sequels, as well as The Foxman. He has a fantastic backlist and is worth checking out. Also, John Bellairs, who wrote The House With the Clock In Its Walls, has several that are very, very good.
I want to add Mike Lupica, who has written some very good sports books.
I second the suggestion of Encyclopedia Brown – those books are great! He may also enjoy Gary Paulsen’s books; Hatchet is the first one in the series about Brian, a boy in the wilderness. He also has a bunch of non-fiction books.
Stuart Gibbs is great! He has a spy school series and fun jungle series. My boys were all sport too until they found these. Highly recommend.
Chip Hilton is a series of sports related books that my boys loved reading. Bravo to you for encouraging reading!!
Encyclopedia Brown books! I loved them as a kid. I checked Amazon and they still sell them. They are age appropriate too!
Please add a link for the produce bin- thanks!
Second that! I was curious to see a link for the produce bin you were liking. Trying to find ways to present fresh veggies so we will eat more of them! P.S. I am right there on your same wavelength with the baked oatmeal – baking some up this very morning! It’s just so perfect this time of year.
I’m so sorry, there was a link in there and somehow got removed when the post was published, here is the link for the produce bin: https://amzn.to/49X5tyP