A Return To Christmas By Chris Heimerdinger

Dear Chris Heimerdinger,
Please write more books.
ASAP.
Very Fondly,
MachMomma and Her Little Mustangs

OK. So I think I did it. I have now read read everything he has written. Yes, loved them all. Some say this story is predictable, but I didn't see it coming. Maybe it was the fact that I read at 11:30 pm and am half asleep. None the less. This story haunted me for days.
I really want my children to read it when they are done with their current reads. And since we are all fans of Mr. Heimerdinger that shouldn't be a problem.

The story line is: Artemus and Andrew are twins. But at three years old, Andrew is killed in a tragic accident that his father blames himself for. It happened on Christmas Morning, so the family not only fore goes Christmas festivities, they are in a horrible sense of mourning during the season.

But through an unexpected turn of events...

Christmas Jar by Jason F. Wright

I buzzed through this small book in one evening after the kidlets went to bed. I couldn't put it down.
To be honest, you can kind of figure out what the message is going to be. BUT the story line to deliver that message totally surprised me. Very cute and we are reading it as a family now.
This would be a great tradition to start. Not only by giving the jar away, but for newlywed's who are just starting their own traditions. I am seriously considering doing all of my Christmas shopping just like they did. Then maybe I won't over do it... again.
The book and jar would be a great gift for neighbors or family members.

Christ Centered Christmas By Sharon Velluto and Suzanne Meredith

If I were to purchase ONE book for the Christmas season for family lessons and activities. This would be it. ( Outside of Church publications that is)

I have used it for nearly ten years and still haven't been all the way through it.
What it contains:
*A short Christ Centered lesson based on familiar Christmas symbol
*Simple ornament depicting the traditional symbol designed to accompany the lesson
*Suggested hymns/songs from the Hymn book and Children's Songbook.
*Scripture references from the four Standard Works
*Optional materials including thoughts, inspirational articles, stories, games, recipes, etc

For a more complete review visit my other blog here

I Believe in Santa Clause by Diane Adamson

Love this book. I bought it 2 years ago when my daughter started asking if Santa was real.
The children at school had burst her bubble. It was confusing to her because every year the Sunday before Christmas, he actually comes to our home.
I have never went one way or another. Christmas to me is more Christ centered. But I do feel it is important to "have a childhood" so to speak.
The author does the perfect job of comparing the symbolism of Santa to the symbolism of Jesus Christ.

I cannot recommend this book enough. ISBN #0-9673571-0-1
I purchased mine at Deseret Book

Curious George By Margaret and H.A. Rey's

At this time of the year, you can find all sorts of wonderful books at Costco. I bought the Curious George Library a few years ago, thinking it was a classic. I, myself did not particularly love George, however; my daughter loves George. I read these books so many times that I could close my eyes and snooze for a few seconds and still be talking/reading.

Her favorites? All of them, just at different times. She went through a phase when it was Curious George Goes Camping to Curious George and the Puppies . I like the old school simplicity. A great investment.

The Complete Karen Katz Collection

Last year, I saw these books at Costco. My favorite section at Costco is the pre-made meals which is second place to the book section.

Although, I bought these for my near one year old. They would make a great gift for a smaller baby or even a two year old.
My nearly four year old loves them as much as her little sister. She has them memorized and actually reads them to us.
The collection included 8 books. When taking the pic,I could only find four. The girls love them and carry them around the house. As of late, we read "Pop" (Grandpa and Me) and "Gramma" (Grandma and Me) every. single. night. for the past two months.
The pictures are bright, vivid, colorful. The flaps (they are flap board books) are sturdy, however, several have been ripped off and put back together with tape.
They are very simple books. For example, on the Grandma and Me it says
"Someone special is at the door, who could it be?"
Under the flap it says "Surprise It's Grandma!"
Derci would not hold still when I started reading to her before bed at 17 months. These were the life saver. Now she is good through Dr. Seuss style books. We read for the recommended 20 minutes minimum every day.
They are all delightful.
"Where is Baby's Belly Button", "What Does Baby Say", "Mommy and Me", "Daddy and Me", "Peek a Baby" are the titles. I have seen them also sold separately.

A Walk To Remember/Nights in Rodanthe-Nicholas Sparks

That dang Nicholas Sparks.
There is a reason I rarely read fiction.
This is one of my favorite movies. I saw it on the shelf at the library while looking for some books for MasterChef the book inhaler.
I thought 'I should read the book!'
One night I read several pages. Couldn't fall asleep for I knew how the book was going to end.
Turned on the light, stayed up til 2am and finished it.
All I can say is that was the perfect time for me to read it since I was crying hysterically before they even fell in love. Contacts were out and no one to ask "Why are you crying Mommy?"

A love story when you are in high school just gets me every time. Why is that? Is it because when you are young you think differently and everything is so..so deep and passionate and heck I don't know what words to use.

The reason this is one of my favorites ( the novel does not disappoint btw) is because my Dad died of cancer, and I just want to be a better person after reading something like this. Even though it is so sad and gut wrenching. You see how many blessings you have and how important it is to live life. Live life kindly and graciously. It's like a little pep talk.

This is one of my favorite movies. It and Disney's Iron Will. Is a prerequisite for my favorite mean- I have to cry deliriously each and every time I watch it, because I do, even though I've seen them a zillion times.

So up on returning, A Walk to Remember, I checked out this


Yes. I am a glutton for punishment and yes, I finished it in one night.
I am going to rent it at Blockbuster while Lovie is hunting. So I can cry by myself. It is so embarrassing. dang it!

While I liked A Walk to Remember more. It was still a good book that left tears in my eyes.
Nights is about a mom whose husband leaves her for another woman and is asked to take care of a friends bed and breakfast for a weekend when there is only one guest....
Yeah. uh huh. We don't see what's going to happen here.
No disrespect. I can totally relate to Nicholas characters, I think most women do, that's why we love him.