disappearing four patch quilt

My first completed quilt of the year.  Finishing the quilt was one of my summer goals, so I pulled it out last week and got the binding done on Sunday.    The warm colors contrasted with white ended up to be a winning combination.  I haven't been quilting much in the last couple of years, so this one is a keeper to add to my personal collection.  It should get some use this fall and winter.

School's First Day of School

School's First Day of School written by Adam Rex and illustrated by Christian Robinson is a book just in time for the start of school.  This book tells about the first day of school from a school's perspective.  School has never had students in him before, so when the students arrive, he experiences all sorts of new things including shy students, lunch, and a fire drill.  This is a good story to share with all ages of children who are going back to school, although it does not replace my favorite book for this season, First Day Jitters. 

Sophie's Squash Go to School

Sophie's Squash Go to School by Pat Zietlow Miller is a book many children would enjoy.  Sophie has two friends, Bonnie and Baxter, who are squash.  She loves taking them everywhere, including to her first day of school.  Since she already has two friends, she is not sure she needs to make any friends with her new classmates.  By the end of the story, Sophie finds that other children can make good friends, too.  This book can be read without reading the first one, Sophie's Squash, but if you can find both at your library, I would check them out together. 

five minute clean up

One way I try to keep my home less cluttered is a five minute clean up.  I set the iPod timer for five minutes and pick up around my place.  It is only five minutes, but sometimes the difference is striking.   I like doing this before I go to sleep each night or if I have five extra minutes before I need to go to work.  It is nice coming home to a cleaned up apartment.  It also works well when a bunch of my nieces and nephews are over.  Usually the the floor is swept, rooms are vacuumed, and things are put away so we are not stepping on everything.  Another benefit of five minutes of cleaning is that when someone calls to say she is going to stop by, my place is more or less presentable.

Herman's Vacation

Herman's Vacation by Tom Percival is the second book about friends Herman and Henry.  Herman and Henry decide it is time to go on vacation.  Since they do not have a lot of money, they end up going camping.  Herman thinks it is great, while Henry finds it challenging.  When Herman realizes this, he figures how to make it better for Henry so they can both enjoy the vacation.  Like Herman's Letter, there are lift the flap notes.  This is a good book to share with children this summer about friendship and camping.

The Not-So-Faraway Adventure

The Not-So-Faraway Adventure by Andrew Larsen is one the children's books that I read this week that I really enjoyed.  Theo and her Poppa enjoy spending time together.  Poppa's trunk is full of souvenirs from his travels around the world.  Looking through it gives Theo an idea for a great birthday for Poppa.  Together they go to the beach for a special adventure of their own.  After the trip, they have something to add to Poppa's trunk full of memories.